Enel Green Power connects over 1 GW solar projects in Mexico to the grid

The Enel Group has announced its Mexican renewable energy subsidiary, Enel Green Power México (EGPM), has completed and connected to the grid around 1,089 MW of solar energy in Mexico.

The new capacity includes the approximately 828 MW Villanueva solar park, located in the municipality of Viesca, in the State of Coahuila, and the 260 MW Don José solar park, of approximately 260 MW, located in the municipality of San Luis de la Paz, in the State of Guanajuato.

Investment in the construction of the two projects amounted to approximately US$950 million, of which US$710 million for Villanueva and US$240 million for Don José. The two projects were awarded to the Enel Group in Mexico's first long-term auction, held in March 2016, following the country's Energy Reform.

Villanueva, whose construction started in March 2017, is the largest operating solar plant in Mexico and Enel's largest solar project worldwide. The project comprises over 2.5 million solar panels, capable of producing more than 2,000 GWh per year as well as avoiding the emission of over 1 million tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere.

Don José, whose construction began in April of last year, is composed of more than 810,000 panels, capable of producing over 625 GWh per year, as well as avoiding the emission of over 340,000 tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere.

Last May, Enel Green Power increased the capacity of Villanueva, to 828 MW from the original 754 MW, and Don José, to 260 MW from the original 238 MW, after implementing a 10% capacity extension option included in the energy sales contracts for both plants.