Grenergy Renovables plans to build four B20 plants in Latin America in the second half of the year for a combined capacity of 163MW, a local media reported. Grenergy Renovables is a Spanish Independent Power Producer that develops renewable energy plants on a large scale.
The proposed capacity is expected to come from 24MW Kosten wind farm in Argentina, Duna and Huambos farms with 18MW each and the Quillagua solar park in Chile with 103MW. It is reported that the projects are part of the Spanish group’s regional development pipeline.
It appears that the company has seen no impact of the pandemic on projects in Chile and Columbia. However, it has had to delay work in Argentina, Mexico and Peru.In this sector, Brazil has surpassed China as the world’s largest producer for hydropower capacity last year.
According to the International Hydropower Association’s (IHA) 2020 Hydropower Status Report, “Covid-19 has demonstrated the resilience, reliability and flexibility of hydropower at a time of global crisis. Due to successfully implementing business continuity plans, hydropower operators have helped ‘keep the lights on’ for essential sectors of the economy. Widespread uncertainty and liquidity shortages have put financing and refinancing of some hydropower projects at risk. Greenfield development and critical modernisation projects have also been halted due to supply chain disruptions. In addition, proposed or existing government programmes aimed at supporting the sector have been postponed.”
Latin America is transitioning toward a more diversified renewable mix as they increase capacity from wind projects.