LATAM solar news roundup: talking projects in Jamaica, Brazil and Mexico

Jamaica’s RfP for 37 MW of renewables attracts 10 bids – report

Jamaica’s Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) received 10 bids in response to its Request for Proposals (RFP) for 37 MW of renewable energy capacity.

January 27th was the deadline for submission of proposals for solar, wind, waste-to-energy and other green energy projects, to be developed on a build, own and operate basis. The list of bidders includes Wigton WindFarm Ltd with a 37-MW wind project worth USD 61 million (EUR 56m), Eight Rivers Energy Co with a 37-MW solar project of USD 48.7 million, and Jamaica Energy Partners with a 37-MW solar scheme priced at USD 77.14 million.

The winning applicants will be notified in May, with construction of the power plant(s) planned to start by July 2017.

NEXTracker starts making solar trackers in Mexico

NEXTracker Inc on Tuesday said it has started manufacturing solar trackers in Mexico.

The California-based company is using electronics production services provider Flextronics (NASDAQ:FLEX), to offer a “made in Mexico” tracker for utility-scale projects. The Flex plant in Guadalajara makes NEXTracker’s self-powered controller, while additional components are supplied by local partners.

Scatec Solar to buy majority of 78 MW of Brazilian projects

Norwegian power producer Scatec Solar ASA said on Monday it has agreed to acquire majority stakes in two solar projects in Brazil, totalling 78 MW in direct current (DC), from Spanish developer Grupo Gransolar.

Oslo-based Scatec Solar will build, own and operate the two solar parks in the Brazilian state of Piaui. It will own 70% stakes in both plants, while the Spanish firm will own the rest. The pair will need to spend a total of BRL 418 million (USD 105m/EUR 96.3m) on the two projects.

Construction will start during the first quarter of 2017.

Gransolar bid and won the projects in a tender held by the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency, also known as ANEEL, in August 2015. The two developments will enter a 20-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the agency. They are expected to be generating some 164,000 MWh of electricity per year.

SeeNews Renewables
SeeNews Renewables goes beyond the familiar renewable markets of Western Europe and the US to encompass the potential of BRIC counties and emerging investment destinations in North Africa, the Asia Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe. SeeNews Renewables is covering all renewable energy sources: wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, geothermal and marine energy.