Commissioning of La Jacinta Solar, the first photovoltaic plant and the largest of its kind in Uruguay

OHL Industrial, an OHL Group subsidiary specializing in the development of engineering and construction of industrial facilities on a turnkey basis, has completed the design, construction and commissioning of La Jacinta Solar, the first large-scale solar plant in Uruguay and one of the largest photovoltaic plants of Latin America. With installed power of 64.8 MWp, it supplies 100 % of its energy to UTE and provides electricity to approximately 35,000 homes. Furthermore, it is estimated that its commissioning will reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 74 thousand tons/year.

Located in Salto, north Uruguay, the plant is part of the first Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed by Administración Nacional de Usinas y Trasmisiones Eléctricas (UTE), a state-owned company in charge of electricity generation, transmission and management in the country, and FRV (Fotowatio Renewables Ventures); it is also a result of the Government’s policy to incentivize greater use of solar energy. Salto was chosen as the site of the plant due to its larger capacity to absorb electricity than that of UTE, thanks to the proximity of the Salto Grande hydroelectrical plant which, with power of 1,890 MW, is one of the largest hydraulic facilities in the region.

La Jacinta Solar began supplying electricity to the network in July 2015 and was awarded an Activity Certificate by UTE on 7 September 2015. At present, OHL Industrial is in charge of its operation and maintenance over a 24-month term, extendable to 36 months. 

Aerial view of the La Jacinta Solar.