Colombian utility Empresas Publicas de Medellin (EPM) announced the successful commercial operation of its 83-MW Tepuy solar farm. The facility, situated in La Dorada, Caldas, has been connected to the national grid, marking a significant milestone for the region.
The Tepuy project, requiring an investment of approximately COP 397 billion (USD 96.1 million/EUR 89.6 million), was partially financed by the French Development Agency (AFD). The plant features over 199,500 bifacial photovoltaic panels mounted on 2,290 solar trackers, connected to 320 inverters. It is expected to have a useful life of 35 years.
“Tepuy is our first large-scale photovoltaic solar park,” said John Maya Salazar, general manager of EPM. “We are increasing the power generation capacity in Colombia and joining the efforts of the electricity sector to reduce the vulnerabilities of the system against climate variability phenomena and ensure the reliability and continuity of service in the coming years.”
The Tepuy development was one of 30 solar projects to secure firm energy obligations in Colombia’s reliability charge auction in February 2024. It was previously selected in the country’s renewable energy auction in October 2021.