Cemig advances in plans to build larger solar plants

Cemig has set for February 11 the opening of proposals from suppliers for the construction of around 250 megawatts-peak (MWp) in solar projects, with the state-owned company from Minas Gerais advancing in larger photovoltaic projects in its strategy to resume organic growth in the generation sector. of renewable energy.

To Reuters, the electricity generation and transmission director, Thadeu Carneiro da Silva, said that the tender opened by the company provides for the hiring of EPC companies, responsible for the work and equipment, for three solar projects: Boa Esperança (80 MWp), Downstream (87 MWp) and Três Marias Floating I (70 MWp).

All are located in the state of Minas Gerais, which is a priority in Cemig’s investment plan, and their energy was sold on the free market through the group’s trading company, said Silva.

“With this, in fact, we will start with almost 250 MWp under construction and, in parallel, we will continue with the development of other projects, such as the expansion of PCHs (small hydroelectric plants)”.

Currently, Cemig’s operations in the solar energy market are concentrated in small plants with up to 5 MW, classified as distributed generation.

According to the executive, the bidding process should have been opened in November last year, but ended up being postponed due to the soaring price of equipment and difficulties in the supply chain observed at the time.

“The uncertainty of equipment delivery was the biggest challenge, more than the costs. Today we already see that costs are down, and the breakdowns (of the supply chain) tend to improve”.

Hydro and wind power

Cemig is also advancing with the expansion of the power of small hydroelectric plants (SHPs). New machines at SHP Poço Fundo should start operating in April, increasing the plant’s installed capacity by another 15 MW, from the current 8 MW, said Silva.

The company also sees potential to add new machines to the Três Marias hydroelectric plant, in case the government decides to hold a specific auction to contract power reserve from the hydroelectric source. Today, the investment to increase the capacity of the enterprise, of 396 MW, is not standing still, said the executive.

“With the auction, in a short period of time, we would be able to reliably deliver power to the system.”

In the case of wind power, Cemig has more advanced projects for plants in the Northeast, in the states of Pernambuco, Piauí and Bahia, but also identifies potential for the source in Minas Gerais, mainly in the north and on the border with Bahia.

Cemig’s investment plan foresees around 6 billion reais in investments in energy generation and transmission by 2025. Of this total, more than 4 billion should be allocated to new generation projects, with a forecast of implementation of at least 1 gigawatt in renewable power plants.

Streaming

In the transmission segment, Cemig intends to participate in the auction scheduled for June and is mainly interested in lot 1, which provides for reinforcements in the electricity grid of Minas Gerais.

“We are going to participate in this auction, (we will be) competitive, we are preparing for it”, said Silva, recalling that the company disputed an asset with Neoenergia in the last event, held in December.