Colombian firm re-routes delayed wind farm kit for new project in Peru
Colombian firm re-routes delayed wind farm kit for new project in Peru | Windpower Monthly
Colombian energy company Celsia plans to use equipment acquired for delayed wind projects in its home market at a new project in Peru.
Celsia is part of the Grupo Argos conglomerate, which has made large investments in the cement and energy industries. It has agreed to buy the permitted 218MW Caraveli project in the southern department of Arequipa from Spain’s Ibereolica.
The Caraveli project secured permitting approval in early 2022. Celsia plans to launch construction as soon as the acquisition closes, which is expected to occur later this year. Commercial operations are expected to begin in late 2025. Investment is estimated at $240 million.
“Arriving in Peru with this project is a very interesting opportunity for Celsia,” said Celsia CEO Ricardo Sierra.
To advance Caravelí, the company plans to make use of equipment and supply agreements originally contracted for its wind projects in north-east Colombia.
Celsia’s three wind projects in Colombia – Acacia II (94MW), Camelias (265MW) and Carreto (9.6MW) – are fully permitted, but the transmission line due to connect them to the grid is not.
The wind farms were due to begin commercial operations this year but have not yet entered construction.
Related Knowledge Center: ENERGY BASICS: wind
Decades of government support for the development of wind energy has resulted in lower costs and a rapidly growing share of electricity generated by wind turbines. Wind in 2019 accounted for 7.3 percent of electrical generation, surpassing for the first time hydropower at 7.0 percent.