ENGIE Brasil has begun full commercial operations at the Assú Sol Photovoltaic Complex in Assú, Rio Grande do Norte, marking the completion of its largest operational solar project.
The R$3.3 billion (US$638 million) development has an installed capacity of 895 MWp (753 MWac) and an average commercial capacity of 229.6 MW, fully allocated to Brazil’s Free Energy Market. The output is sufficient to supply a city of around 850,000 inhabitants. According to the company, the project is now the ENGIE Group’s largest operational solar complex globally.
During February, ENGIE Brasil recorded a solar generation peak of 1,400 MW, with Assú Sol accounting for around half of that total.
Chief executive Eduardo Sattamini said: “We have delivered the ENGIE Group’s largest operational solar complex anywhere in the world on time and on budget and respecting the communities involved… The achievement reflects the technical competence and reliability of our strategy for driving sustainable growth in Brazil.”
Construction lasted 30 months and created more than 4,500 direct jobs. ENGIE reported zero accidents requiring time off work during the build phase. The project incorporated drone-based aerial mapping, automated motor graders integrated with 3D models and the first use in Brazil of an automatic pile driver designed for photovoltaic projects.
Paulo Müller, Implementation Director at ENGIE Brasil, said: “Each stage was handled with technical rigor and responsibility, ensuring safety, efficiency, and respect for local communities.”
Installed across 2,344 hectares, the complex comprises more than 1.5 million photovoltaic modules, 12,000 kilometres of cabling and 53 kilometres of internal access roads. It is connected to the grid via a dedicated substation and a one-kilometre transmission line.
ENGIE said it invested R$50 million in socio-environmental initiatives linked to the project, including R$8.9 million for local social programmes in Assú. These included the construction of a school, a primary health unit, a community kitchen and sports facilities, as well as support for family agriculture and vocational training.
Project manager Giuliano Pasquali said: “Assú Sol represents not only a major energy project but also a symbol of what we can build when we combine technology, good engineering and responsible relations with the communities.”
