Jul 31 2013
Etrion Corporation ("Etrion" or the "Company"), an independent solar power producer, announces it has entered into a PPA with Atacama Minerals Chile S.C.M. ("Atacama Minerals"), to provide electricity to its Aguas Blancas iodine mine in Chile (the "Aguas Blancas Mine").
The PPA marks the first project supporting the Company's strategy to expand into an exciting new growth market, complementing its Feed-in-Tariff revenues generated from its current operating platform in Europe with long-term agreements with industrial clients, specifically in the mining sector.
Aguas Blancas Solar Park (up to 8.8 MW)
Etrion has entered into a long-term take-or-pay PPA to sell electricity to the Aguas Blancas Mine located in the north of Chile. The Company plans to build, own and operate the solar park with a total capacity of up to 8.8 MW (the "Aguas Blancas Solar Park") to meet approximately 35% of the Aguas Blancas Mine's total projected power requirements. The solar park is expected to be operational in the second quarter of 2014. The total project cost, including costs related to the licences, permits, development and construction, is estimated to be US$25 million, a portion of which is expected to be financed through non-recourse debt with international financial institutions, with the remaining equity portion to be funded by Etrion.
Construction of the Aguas Blancas Solar Park, which is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of this year, is subject to Etrion arranging the necessary debt financing as well as other conditions customary for transactions of this nature.
Marco A. Northland, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, commented: "This is a very exciting achievement for the Company as it demonstrates that solar can operate without government subsidies. Energy is a key concern in Chile and given the high solar irradiation there, it is very exciting that solar is now becoming a viable and sustainable power alternative. With a proven track record in developing, building, financing and operating solar parks, I believe the Company is well positioned to become a key player in Chile's energy sector. Having operations in Chile will smooth the effects of seasonality on our business, which will positively impact our results and cash flow position."
About Etrion
Etrion Corporation is an independent power producer that owns and operates renewable assets. Etrion currently owns approximately 60 MW of operational, ground-based solar photovoltaic power plants in Italy. The Company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada and the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm exchange in Sweden.
Source: https://www.etrion.com/