The announcement comes at a period of significant growth for Sonnedix, with recent acquisitions and new connections of over 100 MWs in Italy, Chile and South Africa. In addition, on 31 August 2016 it was announced that institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management acquired substantially all of the Sonnedix Group to pursue opportunities in the rapidly expanding global solar market.
The plant is the second solar farm recently built by the partnership in Puerto Rico and the largest of its kind in in the Caribbean. With an investment in excess of $160 million, the construction of the facility created more than 1,000 direct jobs during construction, mostly residents of Isabela and nearby communities. Greece-based company METKA-EGN built the facility, and will commission and operate it following completion later this year. Sonnedix and Yarotek will also be planting some 3,500 trees at a nature reserve near to the site as part of the environmental mitigation.
“The energisation of the largest solar power plant in the Caribbean will bring a large amount of clean, green energy to Puerto Rico” said Andreas Mustad, CEO of Sonnedix. “It is a landmark moment for Sonnedix. With this milestone, we have more than tripled our operating capacity over the past eighteen months.”
Joern Hackbarth, Executive Vice-President and Head of Engineering and Construction at Sonnedix, added that the company worked hand-in-hand with PREPA and contractors to meet its goal and the commitment made to the people of Puerto Rico.
The energization process, defined as Initial Synchronization Date, marks the date when Oriana’s solar energy generating equipment is synchronized to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority’s (PREPA) electrical transmission grid. This process is executed progressively, integrating the energy produced into PREPA’s grid in a safe manner. It includes monitoring the PREPA’s energisation requirements at incremental power levels while further acceptance tests are conducted to assure a smooth transition of energy into the grid introducing clean energy into the grid.
Sonnedix Power Holdings Limited (together with its subsidiaries, “Sonnedix”), is an Independent Solar Power Producer (IPP) with a proven track record in delivering high performance cost competitive solar photovoltaic plants. The company develops, builds, owns and operates solar power plants globally.
Yarotek operates from offices in Miami and San Juan, providing solar and other clean energy solutions to customers across the Caribbean, with most of its current focus in Puerto Rico.
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