The Ituverava solar plant: biodiversity, a resource for the community

The sertão region in the Northeast of Brazil is famous for many things: its tough inhabitants, its biodiversity and its high level of insolation. The latter prompted EGP to choose it as the site for one of the largest solar generation plants in operation in Latin America: Ituverava is near Tabocas do Brejo Velho, a small town some 800 kilometers inland from Salvador, the capital of the State of Bahía. The plant, which entered into operation in September 2017, covers an area of 579 hectares, the equivalent of 700 football fields. Its 850,000 solar panels can produce 550 GWh a year: that’s enough energy to meet the needs of around 268,000 families, thereby preventing the emission of 318,000 tonnes of CO2 every year. Furthermore, Ituverava’s seven subfields are in the top ten for operational efficiency in Brazil’s renewable energy market. EGP is also working closely with the local community, which suffers from high unemployment and lack of access to water and sanitation. When the construction of Ituverava began, we asphalted the 18 kilometers of what was previously a dirt road connecting Tabocas do Brejo Velho to the plant. We also organized workshops in order to teach locals how to make furniture from the large numbers of wooden pallets used in the construction of the site, in line with the principles of the circular economy. Water management But the principles of the circular economy have also been applied to water management, which is essential in a semi-arid area like this. Particular use was made of aquaponics, a sustainable form of food production which combines hydroponics, growing plants without soil, and aquaculture, the breeding of fish and other aquatic animals. An aquaponic system was developed and workshops were organized for the local community. Systems for the collection of rainwater and air-conditioning water were also installed. The first installations were carried out at Ituverava and its neighboring Horizonte plant and completed in 2019. Water was also recycled from the air-cooling units. Over an eight-hour cycle, an 18,000 BTU device generates approximately 4.5 liters. The Ituverava plant saved a total of 219,630 liters of water from the moment the systems were installed until February 2021. Efficient water management is also necessary in solar plant cleaning. Traditionally, panels are washed manually, which is costly in terms of economic, human and water resources. At Ituverava, a completely innovative robotized solution has been introduced. This also lowers the risk of accidents. EGP also donated 18 obsolete solar panels to supply a water pump for the local community. The 39 families had previously used a pump that was powered by diesel. “Implementing circular economy projects reduces O&M costs and has great benefits both for Enel and the local community. By using obsolete solar panels to pump water, we provide sustainable access to water and this naturally improves our relationship with the community.” Bernardo Lessa, Sustainability Analyst, Enel Brazil “In the past we had to charge associates for using the water pump in order to cover the costs of both diesel and maintenance. By no longer having to pay for 1200 liters of diesel, users can now spend the money they save on their families.” Gautier Cardoso, Community Leader Biodiversity and natural habitat preservation Deforestation and predatory agriculture have driven plant and animal species into extinction, with disastrous effects on the local community. In order to help reverse this process, EGP has helped implement new agroforestry systems for ecological restoration. The circular economy Compostar project, for example, enhances the organic waste generated at the plant and reduces gas emissions. The Vegetation Recomposition Program, on the other hand, is an anti-erosion and re-naturalization technique that provides for the planting of native vegetation. 60 hectares are being restored. Ituverava is located in a biodiversity ‘hotspot’ with concentrations of endemic species and severe anthropogenic loss of natural habitat. In order to protect the local bird population, 40 perches and 45 artificial nests have been installed at Ituverava and Horizonte. These attract seed-dispersing birds, whose reproduction rate has also increased. This project supports and enhances the Projeto Adubação Verde, which attracts avifauna species on account of the abundant seed food, providing natural coverage to exposed areas and reestablishing the biological activity of the soil. Nor are birds the only creatures to benefit from the presence of the Ituverava solar plant. The lobo guará (maned wolf) often approaches the site, where it is fed. The presence of the "Lobeira" (Solanum crinitum) plant has attracted a number of species. The Biodiversity Dissemination Project for the Community Monitoring has recorded 11,026 Lepidoptera, 9,464 ants, 5,138 Birds, and 244 non-flying mammals. Ituverava is a fine example of the fact that a solar plant can be great news both for biodiversity and the local community.

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The Ituverava solar plant: biodiversity, a resource for the community

The Ituverava solar plant: biodiversity, a resource for the community

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