Enel, through its subsidiary Enel Green Power North America (EGP-NA), has started production of the 150 MWdc Aurora solar photovoltaic park in Minnesota (USA). This is the largest plant in Enel's North American solar portfolio and is another step in strengthening the group in the US market. The park, owned by Aurora Distributed Solar, a subsidiary of EGP-NA, consists of 16 photovoltaic plants distributed throughout Minnesota. Aurora can generate approximately 210 million kWh per year, equal to the energy needs of over 17.000 US households, while avoiding the emission of over 150.000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere each year. The total investment is approximately 290 million US dollars.
The PV plant sells its energy under a long-term supply agreement with Minnesota utility Xcel Energy. The industrial-scale distributed solar model offers a range of benefits, including a reduction in grid losses and the elimination of transmission costs, thanks to the proximity of the different communities served, as well as the geographical diversification of the generation assets from renewables. With the Aurora solar farm commissioning, EGP-NA's total installed capacity in Minnesota will rise to 380 MW. It should be recalled that EGP-NA is the leading owner and operator of renewable energy plants in North America, with plants operating and under development in 23 US states and two Canadian provinces. EGP-NA manages around 100 plants and has a managed capacity of more than 3,3 GWm, distributed among renewable, hydroelectric, wind, geothermal and solar sources.
