Central & South America

Trade publishers energía hoy and pv magazine group have partnered to launch a new website – www.pv-magazine-mexico.com – and weekly newsletter to cover the fast growing Mexican solar PV market.

The project, to be developed in the province of San Juan, was selected by the Argentinean government in the second auction round (Ronda 1.5) of the RenovAr program for large-scale renewable energy projects.

The floating solar array will be deployed at the water reservoir of Peñol-Guatapé, which is owned and operated by local energy and telecommunications utility, Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM).

The auction is intended to replace the loss of the concessions for four hydropower plants, which represented 30% of the company’s power generation capacity. Selected projects will be granted a 20-year PPA.

According to local association, Cubasolar, the Cuban government introduced Law No. 345 at the end of March. The new rules will come into force after their publication in the country’s official journal.

A new report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization outlines the benefits of solar powered irrigation systems to both large and small scale farming operations in developing countries. The report also stresses the need for comprehensive management and regulation of such systems, to avoid unsustainable water use.

Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP has advised lenders in relation to two independent renewable energy projects in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, respectively. These projects are in addition to the recent renewable energy loans that were closed in Argentina, Chile and El Salvador.

The Argentinean energy company has agreed to buy three utility-scale projects selected by the Ministry of Energy and Mines in the second round (Ronda 1.5) of the Renovar program.

The strong performance delivered by PV in Wednesday’s auction has demonstrated the solid market fundamentals of Brazil’s solar sector, and an improving competitive landscape. The winners of the auction included both major international players and local companies. Despite the auction’s surprising outcome, which was also driven by cheaper equipment and a stronger Real, PV technology will not be included in the upcoming A-6 auction.

Around 20 GW of solar PV projects were initially competing in the contest. PV was again the source with the largest share, accounting for around 80% of total assigned capacity. The final average price for solar was 118 BRL (US$35.2)/MWh.