Mott MacDonald continues role on major onshore wind farm in Uruguay

Thursday, Mar 07, 2013

Mott MacDonald has been appointed to carry out technical, environmental and social due diligence on the 50MW Florida onshore wind farm in Uruguay. The consultancy will also provide construction and operational monitoring on the project, which is being financed by the European Development Financing Institutions PROPARCO, FMO and DEG. The wind farm, which reached financial close on 22 February 2013, is being developed by Akuo Energy S.A.S.

Florida has a capital value of US$128 million. It is located 100KM north of the capital Montevideo and is one of the first major wind farm projects in Uruguay, comprising 21 Nordex N117/2400 wind turbines. The scheme is part of an initiative by the Government of Uruguay to reduce the country’s dependence on imported oil to produce electricity. The government has signed power purchase agreements for 1000MW of wind energy projects. By 2015, this energy will provide 15% of the country’s electricity.

Mott MacDonald project manager, Ivan Chindurza, said: “Uruguay has a population of 3.3 million and no oil, gas or coal reserves. Wind power has the potential to solve a major energy problem for the country. Mott MacDonald acted as lenders’ technical advisor up to financial close and we look forward to continuing our role on the project.”

Source: Mott MacDonald