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The National Authority of Environmental Licenses (ANLA) has granted an environmental license and approved the Puertos de Santander Solar Park project, a collaboration between the Chilean-Spanish joint venture Andes Solar III, located in the La Terraza area of Cimitarra, Santander.
The initiative entails installing and operating 403,375 photovoltaic modules to produce electric power with an installed capacity of 200 MW and a peak power of 246.06 MW. It is projected to contribute a reduction of 130,874 tons of CO2 equivalent per megawatt-hour.
"With the granting of this environmental license, we are aiding in diversifying the country's energy matrix. The new projects will provide alternative energy generation options and, simultaneously, support environmental sustainability in Colombia," stated Ana María Llorente, Deputy Director of Environmental License Assessment at ANLA.
The official further explained that ANLA's decision was grounded in a technical and rigorous evaluation of the project, considering the Environmental Impact Study (EIA). This study examined the potential environmental impacts from the development of the project's works and activities, as well as the established management and monitoring measures, which affirmed the project's environmental viability.
The environmental license also encompasses the construction of 25 access roads and 3 plazas, which are necessary adjustments for implementing the project's main works or temporary workspaces.
To date, ANLA has granted environmental licenses to 25 Non-Conventional Renewable Energy Source projects, including 18 solar (four of which are in Santander) and 7 wind projects. These projects add 5,161 MW of generation capacity to the national energy matrix, contributing to the National Government's goal of achieving 6 gigawatts.
