OREANDA-NEWS. June 18, 2012. The expansion of the total capacity of the Taua Solar Plant, a power generation venture that is part of the MPX-E.ON partnership, of up to 50 MW was the subject of the public hearing held on Tuesday, June 12, in Taua (CE). Sponsored by state of Ceara Superintendency of the Environment (Semace) the meeting attracted an audience of about 120 people that included city dwellers, community leaders and representatives of public authorities and of the academic  environment.

The first commercial scale solar generation project to be developed in Brazil, the Taua Solar Plant is now in operation with 1 MW capacity and has already been issued a license for to add another 4 MW. The power produced in the Taua plant is injected into the National Interconnected System. Today the amount of energy generated by the Taua Plant suffices to provide for the energy needs of 1,500 families. After the planned expansion to 50 MW, this figure will be increased to 75,000 families which is equivalent to the power needed to supply three times the number of homes in Taua.

During the public hearing the MPX and E.ON project, aimed at solar plant capacity increase, was presented to the audience. This included presenting the environmental impact studies conducted by independent consultants.  A total budget of BRL  170 million is forecast for the implementation of the 45 MW that is now subject to licensing procedures.

For MPX and E.ON, the expansion of the plant represents ratification of the firm belief in the development of solar energy in Brazil.  “Exceptional results were achieved by the first phase of Taua Solar Plant operation. The establishment of this plant in 2011 has paved the way and we now hope that the share of solar energy in the national energy matrix will be increased enabling us to continue to contribute to the development of this important energy source. With E.ON as our partner, we now have an experienced leading renewables player on board. This will add significant strengh to our business”, said MPX Project Manager  Fernando Moura, who presented the Taua Solar Plant project to the audience.