Atlas Renewable Energy, Hydro Rein collaborates to build 438-MW solar park to power Albras aluminium smelter

On 2^nd May 2022, the largest producer of primary aluminium in Brazil, Albras Alumínio Brasileiro S.A. (ALBRAS), which has been catering for the domestic and external markets with high purity ingots since 1985 will be procuring power from a new 438-MW solar power plant to supply its smelter in the state of Para, Brazil.

The worldwide leader and investor in renewable energy sources Actis Group supported Atlas Renewable Energy in collaboration with Hydro Rein, the renewable energy solutions for more sustainable industries are establishing a joint venture to build the US$320 million (EUR 297million) Boa Sorte solar park in Paracatu, Minas Gerais.

The solar plant will comprise over 800,000 bifacial modules. A bifacial solar cell (BSC) is a photovoltaic solar cell that can generate electrical energy when illuminated on both of its surfaces, the front or rear. However, monofacial solar cells only yield electrical energy when photons encroach on their front side.

As part of a power purchase agreement (PPA) in US dollars that runs from 2025 to 2044, Albras owned by Norway's Hydro and Nippon Amazon Aluminium Co Ltd (NAAC) will purchase 815 GWh of electricity from Boa Sorte. However, the contracted volume will be sufficient to cover 12% of Albras’ annual power needs.

The joint venture solar project is anticipating consent from the competition authority (CADE) and is contemplating setting foot in the erection phase in Q4 2022, while the accomplishment is scheduled to happen on or before Q4 2023.