Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV), part of Abdul Latif Jameel Energy (ALJ Energy), has been awarded a 55 MWac solar project in Armenia that will power more than 21,400 homes in Armenia with clean energy.

Expanding the company’s global footprint, FRV has been awarded the competitive tender by the Armenia Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund.

The project will generate enough green electricity to supply approximately 21,400 homes in Armenia, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 54,000 tons of CO2 per year. This is the same as reducing the number of cars on the road in the country by more than 23,400.

The “Masrik-1” Solar PV plant is planned to be constructed in Mets Masrik community of Gegharkunik province of Armenia. The plant will cover a land area of approximately 100 hectares — the size of 150 soccer fields combined — and will begin construction in early 2019 and be operational toward the end of 2020. Approximately 300 jobs will be created as part of the construction phase.

Roberto de Diego Arozamena, chief executive officer of Abdul Latif Jameel Energy, said: “Armenia’s growing focus on renewable energy presents numerous opportunities for Abdul Latif Jameel Energy. It further expands our global footprint, and shows that more and more countries around the world are rightly focusing on clean energy. 

“With countries such as Saudi Arabia putting in place initiatives such as the National Renewable Energy Program, under which the country plans to build a solar project that can supply 9.5 gigawatts of energy, there remains huge potential in renewable energy globally.” 

This year alone Abdul Latif Jameel Energy has announced it has been awarded a 540 GWh hybrid solar-wind project in Chile; secured financing for a Mexican solar farm that will power 150,000 homes; and announced it is supporting the launch of Jordan’s first nanosatellite.

The tender for the “Masrik-1” Project was launched in the scope of the “Energy Week” held in Yerevan, in February 2017. The high interest of the investors was confirmed at the pre-qualification stage of the project. More than 70 companies from Europe, the US, China, India, South Africa and other countries procured bids. Twenty companies submitted bids, 10 of which passed the pre-qualification stage and were allowed to participate in the tender and submit their tariffs.

Abdul Latif Jameel refers broadly to distinct separate and independent legal entities whose interests encompass automotive distribution, auto parts manufacturing, financial services, renewable energy, environmental services, land and real estate development, logistics, electronics retailing and media services.