Solar Energy
Villanueva I & II Solar Power Plants Mexico
Villanueva I & II are two large-scale solar power plants located in the Mexican state of Coahuila. They are part of a larger complex known as Villanueva Solar Park, which has a total capacity of 828 MW, making it one of the largest solar installations in the world.
Villanueva I has a capacity of 427 MW and was completed in 2018. It consists of over 1.7 million solar panels spread across an area of over 2,400 acres. The project was developed by Enel Green Power, a renewable energy company based in Italy.
Villanueva II, on the other hand, has a capacity of 327 MW and was completed in 2019. It consists of over 1.3 million solar panels spread across an area of over 1,600 acres. This project was also developed by Enel Green Power.
Combined, Villanueva I & II generate enough clean energy to power over 1.3 million homes and offset approximately 1.7 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. They also contribute to Mexico's goal of generating 35% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2024.
History of Villanueva I & II Solar Power Plants Mexico
The Villanueva Solar Park, which includes Villanueva I & II, was developed as part of Mexico's efforts to transition to cleaner sources of energy and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. The project was initiated by the Mexican government's energy reforms in 2013, which aimed to promote private investment in the country's energy sector.
Enel Green Power, the renewable energy division of the Italian utility company Enel, won the bid to develop and operate the Villanueva Solar Park in 2016. Construction on Villanueva I began later that year, and the project was completed in 2018. Villanueva II was constructed the following year and began operation in 2019.
The construction of the Villanueva Solar Park involved significant investment and collaboration between Enel Green Power, local communities, and the Mexican government. The projects created hundreds of jobs during the construction phase and are expected to generate significant revenue for the local economy over their lifetimes.
Villanueva I & II have been instrumental in boosting Mexico's renewable energy capacity and reducing its carbon footprint. They also serve as an example of the potential for large-scale solar power installations to contribute to sustainable development and combat climate change.
Villanueva I & II Solar Power Plants Mexico - Profile
Villanueva I & II are two large-scale solar power plants located in the Mexican state of Coahuila.
Here is a profile of each project:
Villanueva I:
Capacity: 427 MW
Total area: over 2,400 acres
Number of solar panels: over 1.7 million
Construction began: 2016
Completed: 2018
Developer: Enel Green Power
Annual generation: approximately 980 GWh
Carbon dioxide emissions offset: approximately 790,000 tons per year
Villanueva II:
Capacity: 327 MW
Total area: over 1,600 acres
Number of solar panels: over 1.3 million
Construction began: 2017
Completed: 2019
Developer: Enel Green Power
Annual generation: approximately 750 GWh
Carbon dioxide emissions offset: approximately 950,000 tons per year
Combined, Villanueva I & II have a total capacity of 754 MW, making them one of the largest solar installations in the world. They generate enough clean energy to power over 1.3 million homes and offset approximately 1.7 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The projects also contribute to Mexico's goal of generating 35% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2024.
Villanueva I & II Solar Power Plants Mexico - Technology
Villanueva I & II solar power plants use photovoltaic (PV) technology to convert sunlight directly into electricity.
Here are some more details about the technology used in these projects:
Solar panels:
Villanueva I & II use over 3 million solar panels in total.
The panels are made up of photovoltaic cells, which convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity.
The panels are mounted on fixed structures that tilt them towards the sun for maximum exposure.
Inverters:
The DC electricity generated by the solar panels is converted into alternating current (AC) electricity by inverters.
Villanueva I & II use over 200 inverters in total.
The inverters are located in central power stations that also contain transformers and other electrical equipment.
Substations:
The AC electricity generated by the inverters is sent to substations, where it is stepped up in voltage and sent out to the grid.
Villanueva I & II have three substations each, located at different points within the solar parks.
Monitoring and control systems:
Villanueva I & II use sophisticated monitoring and control systems to ensure optimal performance and safety.
These systems can detect and respond to issues such as equipment malfunctions, weather events, and power outages.
The monitoring and control systems are operated from a central control room.
The technology used in Villanueva I & II solar power plants is state-of-the-art and designed to maximize energy output while minimizing environmental impact.
Villanueva I & II Solar Power Plants Mexico - Operator
Villanueva I & II solar power plants in Mexico are operated by Enel Green Power Mexico, a subsidiary of Enel Green Power, the renewable energy division of the Italian utility company Enel.
Enel Green Power is a global leader in the renewable energy sector, with operations in more than 30 countries around the world. In Mexico, the company operates over 1.8 GW of renewable energy capacity, including wind, solar, and geothermal projects.
As the operator of Villanueva I & II, Enel Green Power Mexico is responsible for the day-to-day management of the projects, including maintenance, monitoring, and control. The company also manages the transmission of electricity generated by the projects to the national grid, ensuring that the electricity is delivered safely and efficiently to consumers.
Enel Green Power Mexico is committed to promoting sustainable development and supporting local communities. The company has implemented various social and environmental programs in the areas where it operates, including initiatives to support education, health, and local economic development.
Villanueva I & II Solar Power Plants Mexico - Cost and Financial
The total cost of developing Villanueva I & II solar power plants in Mexico was approximately $1.1 billion. Enel Green Power, the developer and operator of the projects, invested approximately $650 million, while the remaining $450 million was financed through a combination of equity and debt.
The financing for Villanueva I & II included a $290 million loan from the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, and a $200 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank. The projects also received financial support from the Mexican government in the form of tax incentives and other subsidies.
Despite the significant upfront investment, Villanueva I & II are expected to generate significant revenue over their lifetime. Enel Green Power has secured power purchase agreements (PPAs) with various commercial and industrial customers in Mexico, providing a stable source of revenue for the projects.
In addition, Villanueva I & II are expected to generate revenue through the sale of carbon credits. The projects are certified under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which allows them to generate carbon credits for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Villanueva I & II solar power plants represent a significant investment in renewable energy infrastructure in Mexico, and are expected to generate both environmental and economic benefits over their lifetime.
Villanueva I & II Solar Power Plants Mexico - Energy Contribution
Villanueva I & II solar power plants in Mexico have a combined installed capacity of 828 MWp (MegaWatt peak) and are expected to generate approximately 1,700 GWh (GigaWatt hours) of electricity annually. This is enough to meet the energy needs of approximately 1.3 million households in Mexico and to avoid the emission of approximately 780,000 tons of CO2 per year.
The electricity generated by Villanueva I & II is fed into the Mexican national grid, which is interconnected with the electricity grids of the United States and Central America. The projects have long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with various commercial and industrial customers in Mexico, ensuring a stable source of revenue for the projects.
Villanueva I & II are part of Mexico's ambitious plan to increase the share of renewable energy in its electricity mix. The Mexican government has set a target of generating 35% of its electricity from clean sources by 2024, and 50% by 2050. Villanueva I & II are expected to play a significant role in helping Mexico achieve these targets, while also contributing to the global transition to a more sustainable energy system.
Conclusion for Villanueva I & II Solar Power Plants Mexico
Villanueva I & II solar power plants in Mexico are among the largest solar projects in the world, with a combined installed capacity of 828 MWp.
Developed and operated by Enel Green Power Mexico, the projects represent a significant investment in renewable energy infrastructure in Mexico, and are expected to generate both environmental and economic benefits over their lifetime.
The projects are certified under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which allows them to generate carbon credits for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They are also expected to play a significant role in helping Mexico achieve its targets of increasing the share of renewable energy in its electricity mix.
Villanueva I & II are an excellent example of how large-scale solar projects can be developed and operated successfully, while also contributing to sustainable development and supporting local communities. As the demand for clean energy continues to grow around the world, projects like Villanueva I & II are likely to become increasingly important in the global transition to a more sustainable energy system.
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