Prodiel to execute the first photovoltaic plant for Celsia, the first in Colombia

Through its subsidiary EPSA, CELSIA, the Grupo Argos energy utility, has awarded Prodiel the task of executing what is to be the first photovoltaic (PV) solar plant in Colombia.

The plant will have a rated capacity of 9.9 megawatts and will be located in the town of Yumbo, near the city of Cali in the Valle del Cauca department.

The complex is to be called Celsia Solar Yumbo and will comprise 35,000 solar panels which will produce approximately 16 GWh of energy a year, a similar amount to the basic monthly consumption of 8,000 homes. The plant will thereby prevent the emission of more than 6,600 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

The construction work, due to begin in March, will take six months. The aim is for the solar power plant to become operational by the third quarter of 2017.

Prodiel sees this project as an important milestone, not only for what it means to build Colombia’s first ever photovoltaic solar plant for a new client such as Celsia but also due to the diversification of the business in that country, as it is adding this EPC photovoltaic commission to the distribution projects it has been undertaking in recent years for clients such as Gas Natural Fenosa and Codensa.

Prodiel is a founding partner, and holds the secretariat role, of Colombia’s Renewable Energy Association (SER Colombia), an association which aims to promote the development of the non-conventional renewable source power generation industry.