The Uruguayan government has identified approximately 670 hectares in the department of Florida for the development of a 350 MW solar park. Spanish company Solaria Energía y Medio Ambiente will develop the project as part of a data center complex with up to 500 MW of capacity.

The land is owned by state-owned utility Administración Nacional de Usinas y Trasmisiones Eléctricas (UTE) and has already been rezoned for the project. The total planned investment amounts to $5.7 billion, including $200 million for solar power generation.

On Nov. 9, Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi met with the governors of Canelones, Francisco Legnani; San José, Ana María Bentaberri; and Florida, Carlos Enciso, to establish a timetable for coordinating the project’s implementation. Industry, Energy and Mining Minister Fernanda Cardona and Presidential Secretary Alejandro Sánchez also attended the meeting.

Enciso confirmed that UTE owns the land required for the solar facility and that its land-use designation has been changed to accommodate the project. The Cardal area, in Florida, has electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure that the government considers important for the development.

Cardona said proximity to grid connection points was a key factor in selecting the sites, with the aim of reducing connection times and costs.

The data centers will be located in the departments of Canelones and San José, with approximately 100 hectares and 150 hectares allocated to each, respectively.

The location of the first development phase has yet to be determined. The decision will depend on land acquisition, environmental approvals and the completion of administrative procedures with the relevant departmental authorities and legislative bodies.

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