Statkraft has entered wind power in Peru by acquiring a 72MW project that could be extended with a wind-solar hybrid array.
Statkraft's newly acquired Emma wind farm is planned for a site near the city of Sechura, which gives the Sechura Desert (above) its name (pic credit: Nur Photo/Getty Images)
The company has acquired all the shares of GR Bayovar SAC, which owns the 72MW Emma
wind project near the northern city of Sechura. The project was previously owned by Spanish developer Grenergy.
The Norwegian energy firm also acquired a 150MW Lupi solar project from the same company.
The Emma project includes a 408MW second stage combining both solar and wind.
According to country manager Juan Antonio Rozas, the deal has the potential to double Statkraft’s renewable capacity in Peru to 1,080MW.
"Our target is to expand with non-conventional renewable projects, and we hope to have a portfolio of at least five or six projects very soon,” he said.
The Emma project is currently at the permitting stage. Statkraft aims to begin construction during 2024-2025.
Present in Peru since 2003, Statkraft currently operates hydropower plants in the country with 450MW of installed capacity. The Emma wind farm would help to compensate for the fall in hydroelectric generation when water levels fall, the company stated.
Peru has 450MW of operational wind power capacity, according to Windpower Intelligence, the research and data division of Windpower Monthly.
