Oiapoque
2016
connected
7.27
hectares
4 MW
solar
+12 MW
thermal unit
68 733
inhabitants
11 126
tons of CO2 avoided per year
The completion of the Oiapoque power plant, which has been gradually commissioned since the end of October 2016, enables Voltalia to have its first solar plant in Brazil. Announced in January 2017, the construction of the 4 MW solar unit adds to the initial project, which combines a thermal unit (12 MW commissioned in December 2015) and a hydropower plant (7.5 MW), the completion of which is expected in 2024.
Voltalia won the tender organized for the isolated site of Oiapoque, a city of 24,000 inhabitants not connected to the national electricity grid, in 2014. By that time, Voltalia had distinguished itself by being the only competitor to offer a hybrid power plant (hydro/thermal mix), thus producing cleaner and cheaper electricity than that produced by the diesel generators used by the municipality up to that point.
Combining three sources of energy, including two renewable ones, this achievement once again highlights Voltalia’s industrial expertise and the agility of our teams.
The solar plant’s production will be sold under the same terms as the 15-year electricity sales contract. This solar plant will optimize the existing infrastructure and operating costs of the plant by reducing the use of diesel fuel for electricity generation. Voltalia will thus be able to ensure the electricity consumption of the isolated city of Oiapoque with 90% renewable electricity production.
