Zelestra has thrown down the gauntlet in Peru’s renewable energy sector, launching full commercial operations at the 300 MW San Martín solar plant in La Joya, Arequipa. This isn’t just another solar farm; it’s a statement of intent, a testament to what can be achieved when ambition meets execution. Delivered in under 18 months, this behemoth is now the largest solar facility in Peru, a title it’s likely to hold for some time.
The San Martín project is a marvel of modern engineering, with 450,000 solar modules stretching out under the Peruvian sun. It’s expected to churn out 830 GWh of clean energy annually, enough to power more than 440,000 homes. That’s not just a drop in the bucket; it’s a significant dent in Peru’s carbon footprint. At its peak, the project supported 900 jobs, and now, it’s set to prevent over 166,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year. That’s the equivalent of taking around 35,000 cars off the road annually.
But here’s where it gets interesting. The energy generated from San Martín won’t just disappear into the grid; it’s been snapped up by Kallpa Generación through a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA). This isn’t just about generating clean energy; it’s about diversifying Peru’s energy sources, about making the grid more resilient, more reliable. It’s about sending a message to the rest of the sector: renewable energy isn’t just the future; it’s the present.
Leo Moreno, CEO of Zelestra, put it succinctly: “The successful delivery of San Martín reinforces our commitment to a customer-first approach. We are proud to see the most ambitious solar project in Peru now fully operational, and look forward to a long-term partnership with Kallpa.” This isn’t just about Zelestra; it’s about setting a new standard for the industry.
And Zelestra isn’t stopping at San Martín. The company has a whopping 7 GW of solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS) in its Latin American pipeline, with 1.7 GW already contracted across Peru, Chile, and Colombia. They’ve been named one of the top 10 global corporate clean energy sellers by BloombergNEF and ranked second in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. They’re not just playing the game; they’re changing it.
So, what does this mean for the sector? It means that the bar has been raised. It means that other players will have to up their game, innovate, adapt. It means that Peru’s renewable energy journey has just hit a major milestone, and the road ahead is looking a lot brighter. It’s not just about the energy; it’s about the jobs, the emissions, the partnerships. It’s about the future. And Zelestra is leading the way.