| Renewables integration
Zerbst solar–battery hybrid, Germany. Photo: Statkraft.
SUNOTEC says the Zerbst project showcases SUNOTEC’s end-to-end capabilities, spanning planning, engineering, manufacturing, construction and long-term operations. Rather than acting as a traditional EPC coordinator, SUNOTEC assumes ownership of the full project value chain, “ensuring quality, accountability, and technical consistency at every stage.” SUNOTEC says it executed the core phases of the Zerbst hybrid power plant internally. Engineering, geotechnical assessments, and environmental planning were carried out by SUNOTEC’s own specialists, ensuring an optimised hybrid layout and seamless co-ordination between PV and battery energy storage system design. The plant was built using SUNOTEC’s proprietary fixed-tilt mounting systems, engineered by SUNOTEC Mounting Systems and manufactured by SUNOTEC Steel, providing mechanical stability, installation efficiency, and full quality control across the substructure. During construction and implementation, SUNOTEC deployed
its in-house teams and hybrid-system experts, enabling streamlined execution and predictable progress throughout the project, the company says.
Following completion, SUNOTEC will continue to manage the operation and maintenance of the PV system, “safeguarding performance throughout the asset’s lifecycle and reinforcing the power plant’s long-term value.” This approach reduces interfaces, eliminates fragmentation and guarantees high-quality delivery, the company asserts.
Equinor’s renewables portfolio, Brazil. Map: Equinor.
Equinor strengthens integrated power portfolio in Brazil An integrated approach of a slightly different kind is also being pursued by Equinor in the development of its renewables portfolio in Brazil. It has recently acquired the ready to build 230 MW Esquina do Vento onshore wind complex from Vestas. With this investment Equinor says it is expanding its broad energy offering in Brazil, “further strengthening its integrated power portfolio for long- term growth in one of the company’s core markets.” The 51 turbine Esquina do Vento complex is located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. The acquisition, conducted by Equinor’s fully owned subsidiary Rio Energy, supports Equinor’s power strategy to build market-driven, multi-technology portfolios. By combining renewable generation, operational capabilities and energy trading, these portfolios will further enhance value
creation, the company says. The Esquina do Vento complex is expected to deliver double digit project returns.
“Brazil is a key market for Equinor’s long-term growth. We have a solid and diversified portfolio of oil and natural gas in the country. With this acquisition, we are expanding in renewable energy and strengthening our integrated power portfolio, where wind, solar and trading work together to deliver competitive and reliable power,” says Helge Haugane, executive vice president for power, Equinor.
Together, onshore renewables and battery energy storage systems constitute a core building block in Equinor’s power strategy, offering competitive generation and scalability. The acquisition of Esquina do Vento adds to Equinor’s onshore renewables portfolio in Brazil. The complex will be developed and operated through Equinor’s subsidiary Rio Energy, which serves as the company’s vehicle for growth in onshore renewables. “We are ready to build the Esquina do Vento complex that comprises 51 Vestas wind turbines and will add around 230 MW of installed capacity in Rio Grande do Norte. With potential annual generation of about 1 TWh, the complex represents a substantial addition to wind power production in the region. Together with Serra da Babilônia, our 363 MW hybrid wind/solar complex in Bahia, Esquina do Vento increases Rio Energy’s onshore wind footprint and reinforces a strong operational platform for long-term renewable energy delivery in Brazil,” says Roberto Colindres, CEO of Rio Energy. This investment is in line with Equinor’s strategy of building an integrated power business, combining wind and solar assets in the same market, reducing intermittency, optimising grid utilisation and improving the overall value of the power portfolio.
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