The tender win will strengthen the company’s presence in Portugal, where it will now build three solar projects
Image: Akuo Energy to build 370MW solar projects in Portugal. Photo: Courtesy of American Public Power Association/Unsplash.
French renewable energy developer Akuo Energy has won a tender to build three solar projects totaling 370MW in Portugal.
Akuo Energy had won 370MW out of the 1.4GW of solar PV energy in the tender organised by the Portuguese State. The tender win will strengthen the company’s presence in Portugal, where it will now build three solar projects, each with a capacity of 150 MW, 120MW and 100MW respectively.
The company stated that it has signed long-term leases, which could ensure its lasting presence in the country.
Akuo Energy chairman and cofounder Eric Scotto said: “Portuguese companies have often accompanied us in the construction of our projects around the world, which simply amplifies our joy and the honor the Portuguese State has bestowed upon us by awarding us in this way. We will ensure that we live up to this trust by supplying our expertise as a producer of renewable energy!
“Through this call for tender, Portugal is showing the European Union the way and reaffirming that renewable energy can guarantee sustainable and long-term energy autonomy. We at Akuo are proud of this success, of the work undertaken by our teams and of the example shown by Portugal!”
Portugal aims to produce 60% of its energy from renewables by 2020
The country has transposed the 2008 European Directive on generating renewable energy in its 2013-2020 National Action Plan for Renewable Energies. Through this plan, the country has set itself an ambitious target of having 59.6% of renewables in its electricity mix by 2020.
In June, Akuo Energy inaugurated the 50MW PECASA wind farm in the Dominican Republic. The wind farm benefited from an $80m (£66.2m) loan from International Finance Corporation (IFC) with support from the Canadian government within the framework of the IFC-Canada Climate Change Program.
The wind farm is powered by 25 of 2MW turbines and is expected to significantly contribute to the country’s energy transition.