Enel Green Power Mexico has secured the rights to supply electricity from three solar projects totaling 1GW in Mexico’s first long-term public tender since energy reform.
The projects, which will cost nearly $1bn, are anticipated to start operations in 2018.
They will generate over 2 TWh of green energy a year, supporting Mexico’s power generation requirements and environmental objectives.
The developments include the 427MW Villanueva and 327MW Villanueva 3 facilities, which will be constructed in the state of Coahuila in northern Mexico, and the 238MW Don José plant in Guanajuato.
Each project will be supported by 15-year contracts selling energy generated to Mexico’s Federal Electricity Commission, as well as 20-year contracts for clean certificates.
Enel Green Power CEO Francesco Venturini said: "Mexico is a pivotal market for all serious players in this field due to its huge potential in clean energy and stable regulatory framework.
"The nearly 1GW we have just been awarded, in addition tothe capacity already in operation and under construction, have turned us into the main player in the country.
At present, EGP has an installed capacity of about 500MW in Mexico of which 446MW comes from wind and 53MW from hydropower.
The company is also building two wind projects in Mexico, which include the 129 MW Palo Alto project in the State of Jalisco and the 100MW Vientos del Altiplano facility in the Zacatecas State.