Bolivia to work with Total on PV project of up to 800 MW - report

The Bolivian government is discussing a solar power generation project of between 500 MW and 800 MW with French oil major Total SA (EPA:FP), local media reported, citing the country’s energy minister.

The solar capacity would be installed in the Potosi region, according to Patria Nueva, citing minister Luis Alberto Sanchez. State-owned utility Empresa Nacional de Electricidad (Ende) is also involved in the project, specific details on which are not yet available.

Bolivia has some of the highest levels of solar radiation in the world in the highlands of Potosi and Oruro, and other areas. Day values of above 6 kWh per sq m have been observed, according to the Inter-American Development Bank.

The country has megawatt-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects under development in Oruro and Tarija departments. In Pando, Chinese firm Yingli Green Energy supplied 5 MW of PV modules in 2014 for an off-grid hybrid solar-diesel park.

Total SA holds a majority stake in US solar power major SunPower Corp (NASDAQ:SPWR).

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