- The first Zonda assets are monitored and controlled by GPM.
- They will use GPM SCADA and GPM PPC in accordance with the country’s grid code
requirements. - The first stage of the project reaches an installed capacity of 100 MW equivalent to
the energy used by more than 88,000 households.
The electricity generator YPF Luz, has proudly announced the inauguration of Zonda, the first solar
farm in the San Juan town of Bella Vista. This groundbreaking project was made possible through a
partnership with GreenPowerMonitor (GPM), a DNV Company.
As part of its decarbonization efforts, YPF Luz has entrusted GPM to monitor and control its inaugural
solar asset in Argentina. GPM uses its GPM SCADA, supplied to 360Energía, and GPM Power Plant
Controller (PPC), supplied to Huawei, a control system that can manage real and reactive power from
solar plants, in compliance with the country’s grid code requirements. Notably, the PPC has been
customized to incorporate its own LIGHT SCADA. Additionally, GPM has played a pivotal role by
providing tailored cybersecurity measures especially for this project.
GPM started working in Argentina in 2015 and has since emerged as the leading monitoring provider
in the region. With an impressive installed capacity of over 20GW in solar and wind energy across
Iberia-Latin America, GPM’s extensive experience and expertise, acquired through several projects
with the main players in the country, has paved the way for this collaboration with YPF Luz, which
marks another significant stride towards supporting Argentina’s energy transition.
The initial phrase of the project boasts an installed capacity of 100 MW, equivalent to the energy
consumption of more than 88,000 homes. This achievement will result in a reduction of over 110,000
tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Spanning an area of 200 hectares, Zonda I solar farm
has a capacity factor of 36% and required the installation of 170,880 bifacial panels. It will provide
renewable, efficient and sustainable energy to large users and industrial customers in the Renewable
Energy Term Market (MATER).
“Excitingly, Zonda holds the potential for two additional expansion stages of 100 MW each. Upon completion, the park’s output will reach an impressive 300 MW, equivalent to the energy consumption of 140,000 households. With a solar farm expected to save an impressive 360,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, the project will expand San Juan’s renewable generation capacity by 25%”, explained Juan Carlos Arévalo, CEO at GreenPowerMonitor, a DNV company and Executive Vice President for Energy Systems at DNV.
YPF Luz’s CEO, Martín Mandarano, said: “Today Zonda is a reality, our first solar park in one of the most irradiated areas of the world. With Zonda we are diversifying the technology of our assets, and there are already six provinces where we operate, contributing to the development of the country and the wellbeing of the people. We thank GreenPowerMonitor for helping us to materialize this great project”.
Argentina, with its vast potential for photovoltaic plants, recognizes the importance of implementing a
robust monitoring system to safeguard investments. Thanks to GPM’s state-of-the-art tools, YPF Luz
will be able to closely monitor the performance of its assets, ensuring optimal efficiency and maximum
returns.