Enel SpA announced March 21 that its Peruvian renewable energy subsidiary began operations of a 180-MW solar plant, the company's first solar project in Peru.

The Rubi solar plant, in the city of Moquegua in Mariscal Nieto province, is Peru's largest solar facility, according to Enel, and will increase energy production from "clean sources" in the country's southern region by 12%.

The project is expected to produce about 440 GWh annually, which will be delivered to Peru's National Interconnected Electricity System. The European Investment Bank provided part of the project's finances. Enel said it invested approximately $170 million in the project.

The company secured the long-term power purchase agreement in a public renewable energy tender launched by the energy regulator OSINERGMIN. The company will supply its output to Peru's Ministry of Energy and Mines under a 20-year contract.

Enel Green Power Peru is on its way to becoming "Peru's main renewable energy player" upon completion of the 132-MW Wayra I wind plant and the 20-MW Ayanunga hydro project, according to a news release.

The Enel Group, through its Enel Green Power Peru, Enel Generación Peru SAA and Enel Generacion Piura SA subsidiaries, has an installed capacity of about 2 GW in Peru and also operates through Enel Distribución Perú SAA serving 1.4 million customers in the Lima region.