YPF Luz inaugurated the Zonda, its first solar park, located in the town of Bella Vista, department of Iglesia in the province of San Juan. In its first stage, the park reaches an installed capacity of 100 MW, equivalent to the energy used by more than 88,000 homes, and prevents the emission of more than 110,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year.
The Zonda has a capacity factor of 36% and 170,880 bifacial panels installed in a total area of ??200 hectares. Its renewable, efficient and sustainable energy is intended for large users and industrial clients in the Renewable Energy Term Market (MATER).
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the governor of the province of San Juan, Sergio Uñac; the secretary of Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Innovation of the Ministry of Environment of the Nation, Cecilia Nicolini; the mayor of the Church, Jorge Espejo; the president of YPF, Pablo González; the CEO of YPF Luz, Martín Mandarano; among other national, provincial and municipal authorities.
During the meeting, Sergio Uñac expressed " Seeing that an emblematic company that our country has continues to federalize its administration and its management makes us think that San Juan and Argentina not only have a present, but also have a great future. " And, he added “ The development of renewable energies is a necessity to protect the environment. Today, San Juan is the first province that generates solar energy in the country, giving 410MW ”.
“ I want to congratulate you on the commitment and implementation to carry out this park. Environmental policy is a state policy for this government and the Zonda is an enormous contribution in reducing carbon emissions , ”said Cecilia Nicoli.
For his part, Pablo Gonzalez , stated “ We have come to ratify the commitment of YPF and YPF Luz with investment and contribution in renewable energy matters. We are testing how jointly, we can be efficient, grow in production and be friendly to the ecosystem ”. In addition, he commented "San Juan is the first producer of solar energy in the country and we are going to continue strengthening that with the serious and professional work that we have already been doing ."
With an investment of more than USD 90 million, which was financed with the issuance of a green bond of USD 63.9 million and with financing from ANSES; he first stage of construction lasted approximately 16 months, offering the possibility of generating employment and an increase in local economic activity through the demand for indirect services and local suppliers.
The Zonda has the potential of two new expansion stages, of 100MW each, which will expand the park's production to 300MW. This, added to the agreement with the EPSE in Tocota, could reach 500 MW of solar power in the area, managing to supply the electricity consumption of 440,000 homes.
Finally, Martín Mandarano, highlighted “We feel very proud to be in San Juan materializing what a year ago was an announcement. Today the Zonda is a reality, we are inaugurating our first solar park, in one of the points with the highest radiation in the world”. And, he added "With the Zonda we diversify the technology of our assets, and there are already six provinces where YPF Luz has assets in operation contributing to the development of the country and the well-being of the people"
The park has already obtained authorization from CAMMESA to start operating the first 30 MW and the final commissioning stages are being finalized so that it will soon start operating at 100%.
With the Zonda, YPF Luz will reach a total installed capacity of 3,232MW, of which 497MW will correspond to renewable energy. In this way, the company establishes itself as the third generator in the country, exceeding 3.2GW of installed capacity, the second in renewable energy, and as the leader in the renewable energy term market, aimed at industrial clients with a market 36% share.
