Brazil hits 10.4GW of centralized PV solar power

Installed capacity of solar power plants in Brazil reached 10.4GW on August 31, or 5.27% of total power granted (196GW), according to latest figures by electric power watchdog Aneel. 

There were 18,100 PV solar generating plants in operation, counting only centralized plants, which can be dispatched by the national grid operator (ONS). 

In August, 15 solar power plants started operations, totaling 745MW. 

Distributed solar micro- and mini-generation is also growing. According to Aneel, 2.1mn solar panel systems are installed in the country, with 23.5GW of installed power.

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Neoenergia and Rio Grande do Norte state signed an MOU to conduct offshore wind generation studies in the state's coastal region. 

The agreement also includes mutual cooperation and exchange actions involving socio-economic, environmental, technical and regulatory aspects.

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Orizon Group, focused on the waste processing and renewable energy generation industry, is receiving an investment of 130mn reais (US$26.3mn) from the IFC, a unit of the World Bank. 

The contribution is the first sustainability linked-loan in the country's waste sector and is linked to the construction of Latin America's largest recycling plant, which separates materials with mechanized equipment, in Pernambuco state.

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Fictor Group, a holding and investment company specializing in business management, has created a division focused on the energy segment. 

One of Fictor's main undertaking is the joint venture with Enerwatt, which aims to carry out strategic projects in the government's energy transition plan, with a focus on decarbonizing the Amazon. 

The energy division will be responsible for setting up and managing clean energy generation plants in partnership with VPower, an independent energy producer listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange.

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The Sepetiba FPSO arrived in Brazil from China, according to federal oil company Petrobras. 

Chartered to SBM, the unit will go through legal and technical procedures before heading to the Libra block’s Mero field, in the Santos basin pre-salt. 

The FPSO has capacity to produce up to 180,000b/d of oil and 12 million cubic meters per day of gas. It is expected to start operating in the fourth quarter of this year.

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Valaris closed a one-well contract with BP offshore Brazil for drillship Valaris DS-15. 

The contract is expected to commence in the first or second quarter 2024 in direct continuation of the rig’s current program, with TotalEnergies, and has a duration of 80 days. 

Estimated contract value is US$33mn and excludes payments that Valaris will receive for mobilization and any additional services.

A previously disclosed priced option with TotalEnergies offshore Brazil for drillship Valaris DS-15 is now expected to be be exercised in direct continuation of the BP contract. The option period is expected to commence in the second or third quarter 2024 and has a duration of 100 days. 

The operating day rate for the option period is US$254,000. 

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Energisa has opened a public call for projects for the energy efficiency program (PEE) regulated by Aneel. 

This year, more than 30mn reais will be invested in initiatives by the group's nine distribution companies in the states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Paraíba, Paraná, Sergipe, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Tocantins, Acre and Rondônia.

PEE resources can be directed toward rural projects, public lighting infrastructure, social organizations, companies and public bodies.

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Melhoramentos – a publicly traded company that controls companies in the publishing sector, renewable forestry businesses and real estate – has signed a contract with the IBS Energy Group providing for power supply on a new line dedicated to the company in Minas Gerais. 

The agreement guarantees the supply of certified clean energy from a new electricity substation and a 138kV high-voltage transmission line in the region. 

IBS will invest around 60mn reais in the solution. The aim is to bring greater operational stability and enable potential expansions of the Melhoramentos plant, which produces high-yield cellulose fibers used to produce tissue paper and cardboard, essential raw materials for the packaging sector.

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Braskem and Vitol agreed to supply circular raw materials derived from plastic waste. 

The agreement foresees that Vitol will start supplying Braskem Netherlands with pyrolysis oil, produced from the chemical recycling process at the waste plastic upcycling A/S (WPU) facilities in Denmark.

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The Brazilian-American chamber of commerce (Amcham Brasil) and the green economy, decarbonization and bioindustry department signed an MOU to boost public-private dialogue on environmental policies.

As a next step, Amcham and the department will create a joint plan with actions to develop a regulated carbon and renewable energy market.