ENGIE Energía Perú, one of the largest power generation companies in the country, announced the start of commercial operations for the Punta Lomitas Wind Farm as of 00:00 on June 16, 2023, after receiving approval from the Economic Operation Committee of the National Interconnected System (COES).
The Punta Lomitas Wind Farm has a nominal capacity of 260 MW, and together with its upcoming 36.4 MW expansion project, it becomes the most important wind farm of its kind in Peru. It is located in the Ocucaje district (Ica Region) and features 50 wind turbines, two electrical substations, and 60 km of transmission lines connecting the farm to the National Interconnected Electrical System (SEIN).
With a total investment of approximately $300 million, Punta Lomitas will contribute to an environmental benefit by reducing approximately 230,000 tons of CO2 annually. During the construction period, the project generated a peak of 1,000 jobs, with 100% of the unskilled labor sourced locally from the communities directly impacted in the Ocucaje district (Ica Region).
“The Punta Lomitas Wind Farm sets a precedent in the Peruvian electricity sector as the first renewable energy plant developed through an agreement between two private companies. As such, it does not incur any cost in the electricity tariff or to the end consumer, as it did not require an auction or any subsidies from the government“, stated El Mehdi Ben Maalla, CEO of ENGIE Energía Perú and Country Manager of Peru.
The production from the Punta Lomitas Wind Farm will support Quellaveco’s electricity demand, a copper project developed by Anglo American and Mitsubishi Corporation, making it the first major mining company in Peru to use 100% green energy for its operations.
“Punta Lomitas is a significant milestone for our transformation plan in the country. In December 2022, we retired our Ilo21 coal-fired power plant, and now we are adding 260 MW of renewable energy to the Peruvian electrical system. It is a clear example of how we are executing the sustainable energy transition in the Peruvian market“, said César Cornejo, Managing Director of Renewables at ENGIE in Peru.