Martifer Solar, a subsidiary of Martifer SGPS, and Gauss Energía together inaugurated the Aura Solar project today – bringing online Latin America’s largest grid-connected PV plant, with a total capacity of 39 MW. The ceremony was highlighted with the presence of Enrique Peña Nieto, the President of Mexico, which attested to the importance of Aura Solar for the country's energy strategy.
Located in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, the project was funded by a local development bank Nafin, by International Finance Corporation (IFC, the World Bank Group) and Corporación Aura Solar. Martifer Solar was responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the plant, and will be responsible for the O&M services.
“The conclusion of this PV plant gives us a leading position in the region. We are very proud about the end-result of this project that will provide green energy to many Mexican families. We look forward to continue growing the country’s market, which is expected to quadruple in 2014,” said Álvaro del Río García, Country Manager of Martifer Solar in Mexico.
The plant has more than 132,000 solar PV panels installed in ground-mounted structures with single-axis solar trackers, and is forecast to offset 60,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually, providing enough power to supply more than 160,000 inhabitants.
“Aura Solar I represents a remarkable platform to develop solar parks in Mexico, and we believe this will be a boost to the new solar industry in the country,” remarked Hector Olea, President and CEO of Gauss Energía.
With the inauguration of Aura Solar, Mexico’s installed PV capacity was quadrupled. This is the first PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) contract between a private company and Comisión Federal de Electricidad, which will ensure the sale of energy production over 20 years. The country’s target is to achieve 35% of renewable energy by 2026.