SAAS Photovoltaic Park Delivers EIA to SEMARNAT

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) reported it received the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) documentation for the construction of a solar energy power plant called Saas Photovoltaic Park.

The solar park, developed by renewable energy firm SAAS, requires an estimated initial investment of US$45 million. The complex will be constructed in Peto, Yucatan.

The project contemplates the installation of around 128,464 photovoltaic panels, on an area of 1,665,298m², which will have the capacity to generate about 70MW of electricity. Moreover, the EIA indicates the installation of 338 inverters, a 34.5Kv collector, a step-up transmission substation of 34.5/115Kv and a 1,389m, 115Kv electrical transmission line. Furthermore, it revealed the construction of access roads, internal roads and other supporting infrastructure.

Regarding environmental impact, the EIA identified seventeen residual forms of impact as a result of the construction of the plant. These include the impact on vegetation, the potential mortality of fauna caused by road accidents, the decrease in air quality due to emissions and dispersion of dust by vehicles and water pollution.

Furthermore, 34 protected species were detected in the area, comprising one amphibian, six reptiles, six species of mammals and 21 species of birds.

To compensate for the environmental impacts, SAAS said it will implement mitigation measures and may establish auxiliary compensatory measures.

"None of the potential impacts listed were identified as critical…The promoter will ensure that the necessary mitigation and/or compensation measures are applied to reduce the degree of impact on the environment," the document reads.

Yucatan has five wind and solar farms with a total installed capacity of nearly 300MW. In Puerto Progreso, solar and wind farms provide 18MW and 90MW respectively. A wind farm in Tizimin has a capacity of 84MW of power and one in Dzilam de Bravo has 70MW. Finally, the solar park in Peto has an installed capacity of 30MW. According to the state government, another 24 renewable energy projects are under development for which more than MX$84 billion (US$4.3 billion) will be invested.