Total Eren preparing to grow in Latin America
With a focus on developing solar and wind projects in the African, Asian and Latin American markets, France-based Total Eren plans to expand its businesses in South American countries very soon.
Founded in 2012, the firm already has had a presence in the Brazilian market since 2013, when it established a local subsidiary in São Paulo, and in Argentina since 2016. In an exclusive interview with BNamericas, the firm's country manager in Brazil, Pierre Moussafir, talks about plans to make strides in other markets in the region, such as Chile, Colombia and Panama.
BNamericas: How important is Latin America in Total Eren's portfolio?
Pierre Moussafir: We're well positioned in Latin America, with 180MW of wind and solar capacity in Argentina and 140MW of solar project in operation or under construction in Brazil, where we also have a 110MW wind project under development. Brazil is one of the most strategic countries for us. We have a team of over 20 people based in the city of São Paulo.
BNamericas: Is Total Eren planning on expanding its Latin America operations?
Pierre Moussafir: We're looking at projects in Chile, Colombia, Panama and the Dominican Republic. The projects are at different stages of prospection. We're preparing to grow in this region, but so far we haven't signed new contracts.
BNamericas: What role will Brazil play in Total Eren's expansion?
Pierre Moussafir: We currently operate 1GW of capacity, but the goal is to reach 3GW worldwide by 2022, through solar and wind projects. We would like Brazil to be a big part of this volume. We're currently working on developing a partnership with Petrobras, as announced in July 2018, and our target will depend on what we define through this potential partnership.
BNamericas: Why did the company decide to concentrate its regional investments in Brazil?
Pierre Moussafir: Brazil has both a robust market structure, thanks to its regulatory agencies and framework, and growing energy needs. It also has a large population and financing in local currency. All those elements allow us to expand our activity here.
BNamericas: What are the biggest challenges in the Brazilian market?
Pierre Moussafir: It's a complex market, with a lot of rules. It takes time to understand the regulations and tax structure, which are very different to those in other countries. Those aren't difficulties, but it's necessary to understand the differences.
BNamericas: How does the firm see the expansion of the free market in Brazil?
Pierre Moussafir: We're studying some deals in the free market. We're looking at it closely.
BNamericas: Does the firm intend to expand to other renewable businesses?
Pierre Moussafir: So far, other renewable sources aren't part of our plans. We want to consolidate our position in solar and wind, but there's the chance of expanding to the energy storage market. Some countries will need that and we recently saw big storage auctions in Australia, for example. We expect this market to grow in Latin America too, especially in Brazil.
BNamericas: How does Total Eren see the entrance of oil firms into the renewables market?
Pierre Moussafir: I see this movement as a way for them to complement their services. The oil and gas business won't end, but renewables and the electricity market as a whole represent complementary activity. There will be changes on the consumer side, where they will start demanding electricity for their cars, for example. That's why it's important that those firms have operations integrated with the electric sector businesses. The oil firms are already in the electric power chain through gas supply for thermopower plants.
Subscribe to the leading business intelligence platform in Latin America with different tools for Providers, Contractors, Operators, Government, Legal, Financial and Insurance industries.
News in: Electric Power (Brazil)
BP Bunge projects 60% increase in sugarcane biomass sales
Global concerns regarding climate change and the search for renewable energy sources have contributed to the movement of the biomass market towards...
Brazil's weather wake-up call: Extreme events rattle investors
BNamericas speaks to local experts and authorities about the impact that climate risks can have on concessions in sectors such as energy and infras...
Subscribe to Latin America’s most trusted business intelligence platform.
Other projects in: Electric Power (Brazil)
Get critical information about thousands of Electric Power projects in Latin America: what stages they're in, capex, related companies, contacts and more.
- Project: Asso Sol 2
- Current stage:
- Updated:
1 week ago
- Project: Sol do Vale 03
- Current stage:
- Updated:
1 week ago
- Project: CAIÇARA 11
- Current stage:
- Updated:
1 week ago
- Project: BJL V
- Current stage:
- Updated:
1 week ago
- Project: Cima I drinking fountain
- Current stage:
- Updated:
1 week ago
- Project: Solar Novo Horizonte 2
- Current stage:
- Updated:
1 week ago
- Project: Takuar
- Current stage:
- Updated:
1 week ago
- Project: Sunstone 2
- Current stage:
- Updated:
1 week ago
- Project: Photons of Santa Marta 08
- Current stage:
- Updated:
1 week ago
- Project: Farm XXII
- Current stage:
- Updated:
1 week ago
Other companies in: Electric Power (Brazil)
Get critical information about thousands of Electric Power companies in Latin America: their projects, contacts, shareholders, related news and more.
- Company: State Grid Brazil Holding S.A.  (SGBH)
-
State Grid Brazil Holding S.A. (SGBH) is a subsidiary of State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC). State Grid Brazil Holding acquired seven Brazilian transmission companies. Curre...
- Company: Silvania Transmissora de Energia
-
The description included in this profile was taken directly from an AI source and has not been edited or modified by BNamericas researchers. However, it may have been automatica...
- Company: São Pedro e Paulo VI Energia SPE S.A.  (São Pedro e Paulo VI Energia)
-
The description included in this profile was taken directly from an AI source and has not been edited or modified by BNamericas researchers. However, it may have been automatica...
- Company: São Pedro e Paulo V Energia SPE S.A.  (São Pedro e Paulo V Energia)
-
The description included in this profile was taken directly from an AI source and has not been edited or modified by BNamericas researchers. However, it may have been automatica...
- Company: Manage Engine
- Company: Ektt 7 Servicos De Transmissao De Energia Eletrica Spe S.A.
-
The description included in this profile was taken directly from an AI source and has not been edited or modified by BNamericas researchers. However, it may have been automatica...
- Company: Usina Eólica Casqueira A Ltda.
- Company: Lightsource Milagres V Geração de Energia Ltda.  (Lightsource Milagres V Geração de Energia)
-
The description included in this profile was taken directly from an AI source and has not been edited or modified by BNamericas researchers. However, it may have been automatica...
- Company: Lightsource Milagres IV Geração de Energia Ltda.  (Lightsource Milagres IV Geração de Energia)
-
The description included in this profile was taken directly from an AI source and has not been edited or modified by BNamericas researchers. However, it may have been automatica...
- Company: Lightsource Milagres III Geração de Energia Ltda.  (Lightsource Milagres III Geração de Energia)
-
The description included in this profile was taken directly from an AI source and has not been edited or modified by BNamericas researchers. However, it may have been automatica...