BNZ cleared to start works on 49-MWp solar plant in Portugal

May 31 (Renewables Now) - Independent power producer (IPP) BNZ, part of London-based fund manager Glennmont Partners from Nuveen, has received authorisation to begin construction of a 49-MWp solar plant in Portugal's North region.

The company announced today it expects the photovoltaic (PV) park, its first in the country, to be operational in 2023. Located in the Ave intermunicipal community, the solar farm should be capable of generating enough power to meet the demand of some 14,000 people per year. BNZ estimates that the new solar plant can help avoid 21,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent emissions annually.

In addition to creating between 270 and 370 direct and indirect jobs with this project, the IPP will also invest in local environmental and social projects, it said.

The firm targets around 400 MWp of capacity by 2024 in Portugal. BNZ's current aggregated fully permitted capacity around the world amounts to 147 MWp.