Atlas Renewable Energy Leaps Into Wind Power Market With Newest Customer, Enel Generación Chile S.A.

SANTIAGO, CHILE April 20, 2022 – Atlas Renewable Energy (Atlas) marks a new milestone with the development of its first wind power project with a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Enel Generación Chile S.A. for 1.3 TWh/year. The portfolio’s three wind projects total 417 MW throughout Chile, helping accelerate its clean energy transition. 

“Our first wind energy project solidifies our position as a company capable of developing different renewable technologies and adapting to the needs of customers in multiple markets across the globe,” said Alfredo Solar, general manager of Atlas Renewable Energy in Chile.  

Enel Generación Chile Trading and Commercialization Manager, Alfredo Hott, said “With this agreement, Enel complements its renewable energy portfolio with additional wind power to offer its customers clean and competitive energy, in line with the contribution that the company is making to promote the country’s energy transition.” 

Atlas’ Alpaca Portfolio consists of three wind projects that are set to begin operation in 2025. They will be located in the Araucania, Los Lagos and Maule regions of Chile. 

“We are very proud to expand our work to the south of the country. Atlas already has a presence in Antofagasta, Atacama, and the Metropolitan Region. But with these projects, we’ll expand into Chile’s south and establish a presence in six regions of the country,” Solar said. 

With the signing of this PPA, Atlas solidifies itself as the preferred partner for large-scale utilities in Latin America to procure clean, renewable energy. Previously, Atlas signed a similar PPA with Engie to develop Sol del Desierto, a solar plant located in Chile’s Atacama desert, which recently began operations. 

1.3 TWh/yr is equivalent to powering the homes of 628,512 families in Chile, avoiding 671,488 tons of carbon pollution and equivalent to getting rid of about 145,975 cars from the streets of Santiago.  

The construction of the project will facilitate the development of localized social programs designed by Atlas and will prioritize the inclusion and development of the local labor force. Similar programs that were developed during the construction of Sol del Desierto. One of that project’s initiatives was the “We are part of the same energy” program, which provided technical trainings to 66 local women, enabling them to apply for skilled jobs during the construction of the project as well as in other local jobs. 

About Atlas Renewable Energy 

Atlas Renewable Energy is a renewable energy generation company that has been developing, financing, constructing, and operating renewable energy projects under long-term contracts throughout the Americas since early 2017. Atlas Renewable Energy includes an experienced team with the longest track record in the renewable energy industry in Latin America. The company is recognized for its high standards in the development, construction, and operation of large-scale projects. 

Atlas Renewable Energy is part of the Energy Fund IV, raised by Actis, one of the leading private equity investors in the energy sector. Atlas Renewable Energy’s growth is focused on the most stable markets in the region, using its proven expertise in development, marketing, and structuring to accelerate the transformation to clean energy. By actively engaging with the community and stakeholders at the heart of its strategy, the company works every day to deliver a cleaner future. 

Atlas Renewable Energy is part of the Energy Fund IV, raised by Actis, one of the leading private equity investors in the energy sector. Atlas Renewable Energy’s growth is focused on the most stable markets in the region, using its proven expertise in development, marketing, and structuring to accelerate the transformation to clean energy. By actively engaging with the community and stakeholders at the heart of its strategy, the company works every day to deliver a cleaner future. 

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Atlas Renewable Energy’s Sol del Desierto Solar Plant (244 MWp) in Chile will avoid CO2 Emissions Equivalent to 47 Thousand Vehicles per Year

The solar plant, which is already in operation, is located in the commune of María Elena, Antofagasta Region, Chile, and was built with bifacial technology. The plant has a total capacity of 244 MWp and will provide clean energy to the grid. It has a long-term power purchase agreement with Engie Energía Chile. The project will contribute to the goals of the Chilean government’s decarbonization plan.

Santiago, March 22, 2022. Atlas Renewable Energy marks a new milestone on the road to the implementation of clean energy in Chile, with the operation of one of the largest solar plants in the country. Sol del Desierto is located in the commune of María Elena, Antofagasta Region, and has a total capacity of 244 MWp. With 582,930 solar panels spread over 479 hectares, the plant will generate 714 GWh annually. The solar project is an integral part of Chile’s Ministry of Energy’s decarbonization plan, which seeks to retire and/or convert half of the coal-fired power plants by 2025.

The project, which has already started operations, has a long-term solar power purchase agreement (PPA) between Atlas Renewable Energy and Engie Energía Chile, agreeing to supply 550 GWh/year of solar photovoltaic energy for a period of 15 years. The plant’s generation enables the supply of clean energy to 345,198 homes.

Sol del Desierto will avoid 368 thousand tons of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to taking more than 47 thousand vehicles out of circulation per year. The solar park also stands out for its efficiency. It was developed with bifacial technology, which allows energy to be obtained from the back and front faces of each of its solar modules.

An innovative project at an international level

The company’s general manager for Chile, Alfredo Solar, explains that “at Atlas Renewable Energy we develop our projects with a strong commitment to the environment, the surroundings, and to inclusion. That is why Sol del Desierto stands out not only for its contribution to clean energy but also for the care of the surrounding nature, the conservation of archaeological sites, and above all for having placed special focus on the inclusion of the female workforce in its construction”.

Thus, the development of the plant fostered social and environmental responsibility programs, especially highlighting the work of Atlas and its employees with the community of Maria Elena, through various initiatives aimed at promoting diversity, inclusion, and local participation in the project.

One of the most outstanding projects was the “We are part of the same energy” program, which provided technical skills training in the assembly of solar modules and electricity to 66 women neighbors of the commune so that they could have access to opt for jobs within the construction of the plant as well as for other projects being built in the area. Thanks to this program, to which the contractors participated, the construction of Sol del Desierto was able to add 135 women in different operational and supervisory jobs, elevating female representation in the construction of a solar project from a traditional 2% to 15%.

In addition, due to its commitment to the environment and respect for nature and the communities, Atlas Renewable Energy developed a series of initiatives to protect the local culture and the environment. One of these was a plan to protect a series of heritage road traces, trails, and railroad lines that were in use during Chile’s saltpeter boom. In addition, 42 objects were collected that testify to the daily life of that era, which are being studied in Santiago and will later be transferred to the Museum of Natural History in Antofagasta. In addition, a program for the rescue, relocation, and monitoring of lizards living near Sol del Desierto was executed. This with the objective of protecting these reptiles prior to the construction of the plant.

Investment plans in Chile

Chile is one of the countries where a relevant growth of the industry is projected in the coming years, due to the decarbonization policy adopted by the government and the growing demand for clean and low-cost sources for the supply of large private consumers such as the mining industry. Atlas Renewable Energy is betting heavily on this market, focusing on technologies such as wind, solar, and storage.

In just a few years, Atlas has developed projects in Chile with a clear focus on the long term, both with its commercial partners and at the level of supply to regulated customers. In the country, the company sums a total of 441 MW, and in the region, a total of 2,268 MW of contracted projects across Chile, Mexico, Brazil, and Uruguay, which contribute to the energy transformation of Latin America toward cleaner sources. The company expects to continue consolidating its presence in the countries where it already operates and expands into other regions with innovative and sustainable energy projects.

About Atlas Renewable Energy

Atlas Renewable Energy is a renewable energy generation company that has been developing, financing, constructing, and operating renewable energy projects under long-term contracts throughout the Americas since early 2017. Atlas Renewable Energy includes an experienced team with the longest track record in the solar energy industry in Latin America. The company is recognized for its high standards in the development, construction, and operation of large-scale projects.

Atlas Renewable Energy is part of the Energy Fund IV, raised by Actis, one of the leading private equity investors in the energy sector. Atlas Renewable Energy’s growth is focused on the most stable markets in the region, using its proven expertise in development, marketing, and structuring to accelerate the transformation to clean energy. By actively engaging with the community and stakeholders at the heart of its strategy, the company works every day to deliver a cleaner future.

To learn more about Atlas Renewable Energy, visit www.atlasrenewableenergy.com

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Atlas Renewable Energy Secures Financing with BNB for the Construction of Lar do Sol – Casablanca II Solar Plant in Brazil

The loan for the construction of the self-production photovoltaic plant was secured through Brazil’s Northeastern Bank’s Northeastern Constitutional Financing Fund. 

Sao Paulo, Feb. 17, 2022 – Atlas Renewable Energy, a global renewable energy generator, has secured a R$407 Million (approximately US$76 Million) loan from Brazil’s Northeastern Bank’s Northeastern Constitutional Financing Fund for the construction of the Lar do Sol – Casablanca II solar plant, which will be located in Pirapora, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The self-production plant will help power Unipar to produce chlorine for the treatment of water for over 60 million people.

Atlas Renewable Energy will be the main investor and operator, and will partner with Unipar, who will co-invest.

“Projects like these are great examples of long-term relationships between a renewable energy generator, a financer and a client,” said Luis Pita, General Manager for Atlas Renewable Energy in Brazil. “We are very proud that Unipar and BNB recognize Atlas’ capabilities and track-record in this industry to select us as their partner to build and operate large scale renewable energy projects and implement social and environmental programs for the benefit of the communities that will surround this project.”

“The financing for renewable energy projects stands out among the support policies of Banco do Nordeste do Brasil SA. The Institution is the largest regional development bank in Latin America and stands out from the rest due to its developmental mission focused on generating employment and income in its area of operation,” said Superintendent of Banco do Nordeste de Brasil Diego Rocha Batista. “In addition to having adequate conditions for the sector, the credit program is part of the bank’s environmental sustainability actions. The completion of another financing with Atlas Renewable Energy in Brazil reinforces the commitment to the sector and recognizes the entrepreneurial group as an excellent partner in the region.”

The Lar do Sol – Casablanca II Solar Plant, which will occupy about 700 hectares, will have an installed capacity of 239MWp with 460,000 solar panels. The plant’s yearly energy generation will be the equivalent of supplying energy to about 261,662 households, according to the average consumption of a Brazilian family. Moreover, the plant will avoid approximately 40,500 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year, which is equivalent to removing 16,200 vehicles from the streets of Sao Paulo.

Apart from powering Unipar’s production of chlorine and chlorides, the plant is set to hire about 1,200 local employees during the peak construction activity and it will also implement Atlas’ female workforce program “We are all part of the same energy”. With this, Lar do Sol – Casablanca II will be adhering to at least 5 of the UNs’ SDGs (#5: Gender Equality, #6: Clean Water and Sanitation, #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, #10 Reduced Inequalities and #12: Responsible Consumption and Production).

About Atlas Renewable Energy

Atlas Renewable Energy is a renewable energy generation company that develops, builds, and operates renewable energy projects with long-term contracts across the Americas. The current company portfolio is 2.3 GW of contracted projects in development, construction, or operational stages, and aims to expand by an additional 4GW in the next years.

Launched in 2017, Atlas Renewable Energy includes an experienced team with the longest track record in the solar energy industry in Latin America. The company is recognized for its high standards in the development, construction, and operation of large-scale projects.

Atlas Renewable Energy is part of the Energy Fund IV, founded by Actis, a leading private equity investor in the energy sector. Atlas Renewable Energy’s growth is focused on the leading emerging markets and economies, using its proven development, commercialization, and structuring know-how to accelerate the transformation toward clean energy. By actively engaging with the community and stakeholders at the center of its project strategy, the company works every day to provide a cleaner future.

To know more about Atlas Renewable Energy, visit: www.AtlasRenewableEnergy.com

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Atlas Renewable Energy Recognized by SEAL Awards for Environmental Initiative with Primates

SEAL Awards recognizes Atlas Renewable Energy with its Business Sustainability Award in the Environmental Initiatives Category

MIAMI, FL, Dec. 23, 2021 – Atlas Renewable Energy, a global renewable energy generation company, has been recognized as SEAL Awards’ Business Sustainability winner under the Environmental Initiative Award Category. Atlas was recognized for its environmental activity to preserve and protect the Howler Monkey species near its 444MW photovoltaic project La Pimienta, located in Mexico’s municipality of Carmen in the state of Campeche.

The program consists of three main environmental benefits including the conservation of 300 hectares of secondary vegetation of the evergreen forest patches in the area, the creation of biological corridors to connect the forest patches that surround the solar plant, and the conservation of the Black Howler Monkey Habitat, which is an endangered species that has been red-listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUNC).

“Helping preserve biodiversity and improve local species’ habitats near our renewable energy projects is of utmost importance and this is always taken into consideration in the design phase of a project,” said Eddaly Cuesta, ESG Manager for Colombia and Mexico at Atlas Renewable Energy. “Seeing this program develop from a basic idea to a program with tangible results is very fulfilling from both a personal and professional perspective. Everything was possible thanks to the great leadership within Atlas, which understands that protecting and preserving biodiversity is an essential part of the development of our projects.”

The environmental initiative aligns with Atlas’ ESG pillar for biodiversity protection which intends to help protect and maintain environments and species near our renewable energy projects. With this, Atlas aims to motivate others within the industry and foster even more commitment toward the preservation and conservation of species and habitats. Within this pillar, Atlas has executed reforestation activities, donated seedlings, held workshops for environmental education, and has helped toward the conservation of different species across Chile, Brazil, and Mexico.

“We have a commitment as clean energy generators to provide power and to do so as sustainably as possible. Taking care of the ecosystems in which we operate is a priority for Atlas, not because it is required but because it’s the right thing to do. That’s why we often go above and beyond local regulations and do more than what is expected in this sense. I’m very proud of what Atlas has achieved, and the support from the other divisions within the company, such as EPC and Development, which have been fundamental in the materialization of this program”, said Maria Jose Cortes, Head of ESG at Atlas Renewable Energy. “Thank you SEAL Awards for this recognition and thank you to our trusted partners such as BIOS, ERM, Ecology Institute AC, and IDB Invest for being such an important element during the development and execution of this initiative.”

The first phase of the project, which consisted of the relocation of individual howler monkeys and the creation of corridors to connect forest patches, is well underway. Currently, the program is moving into phase two, which consists of monitoring the Black Howler monkey population for the next couple of years to ensure their wellbeing, executing reforestation actions and preserving the forest patches that continue to be connected by the biological corridors.

“The environmental merits of renewable energy are consistent and obvious,” said Matt Harney, Founder of SEAL Awards.  “Our judging panel found Atlas’ prioritization of conservation and biodiversity in its La Pimienta Solar Project to be unique and exemplary. We encourage all renewable energy developers to model this conservation-centric approach.”

About Atlas Renewable Energy

Atlas Renewable Energy is a renewable energy generation company that develops, builds, and operates renewable energy projects with long-term contracts across the Americas. The current company portfolio is 2.2GW of contracted projects in development, construction, or operational stages, and aims to expand by an additional 4GW in the next years.

Launched in early 2017, Atlas Renewable Energy includes an experienced team with the longest track record in the solar energy industry in Latin America. The company is recognized for its high standards in the development, construction, and operation of large-scale projects.

Atlas Renewable Energy is part of the Energy Fund IV, founded by Actis, a leading private equity investor in the energy sector. Atlas Renewable Energy’s growth is focused on the leading emerging markets and economies, using its proven development, commercialization, and structuring know-how to accelerate the transformation toward clean energy. By actively engaging with the community and stakeholders at the center of its project strategy, the company works every day to provide a cleaner future.

To know more about Atlas Renewable Energy, visit: www.atlasrenewableenergy.com

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Atlas Renewable Energy awarded bronze for corporate diversity, equity and inclusion by The Cleanie Awards

MIAMI, FL, Nov. 17, 2021 – Atlas Renewable Energy, a global renewable energy generation company with operations across the Americas, has been awarded bronze in The Cleanie Award’s Corporate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion award category. The recognition was presented during an award ceremony on Nov. 16.

The company was recognized for various DE&I actions during the year including elevating female representation at an internal company level, creating and executing a program dedicated to promoting leadership skills in women, increasing female representation in the construction phase of renewable energy projects through the program “We are all part of the same energy” and focusing on contracting minorities as a way to foster a more inclusive and diverse industry.

“Creating an inclusive and diverse culture that embraces richness and diversity of opinions and experience is extremely valuable. We believe it can take us further as a company and as individuals,” said Marcela Pizzi, Head of People at Atlas Renewable Energy. “There are many social issues still to be addressed, but the fact that women are still underrepresented in the energy sector is something that needs to be tackled. That’s why we’ve been focusing on creating collaborative and safe working environments, working hard not to allow unconscious biases to seep through and create artificial barriers not only for women, but for everyone within the company. With this, we aim for all our collaborators to grow and be challenged while having a reasonably balanced family life.”   

Bolstering gender diversity within our own offices

At a corporate level, tackling the gender gap became one of the first moving parts of the larger DE&I plan. Actions such as implementing innovative recruiting practices to avoid biases, inclusive benefits for all our collaborators and a true commitment from the company’s leadership team has allowed Atlas to significantly grow within this area. In just 4 years, Atlas saw female representation increase to 40% from 11%.

With female representation at an all-time high, the company also implemented “She Leads”, a program that helps promote leadership skills in women for their overall development. To date, a total of 30 women have participated in this leadership program.  

Promoting DE&I within our projects

To expand this vision to the communities where the company operates, Atlas launched its flagship program “We are all part of the same energy”, a program set to continue to be implemented in the future. This program was created to promote local female workforce within the communities and to offer women training to acquire technical skills. While this program was being implemented, Atlas also started to mobilize its contractors to prioritize qualified female workforce in the hiring process of the projects. These efforts allowed female participation in the construction phase of a project to increase to 15% from a traditional level of 2%.

The program also demonstrated that the same concept can be adapted to address the needs of other minorities. In our Jacaranda Solar Plant and our Lar do Sol Casablanca I Solar Plant in Brazil, Atlas mobilized its contractors to promote the African decedent workforce in the area. This initiative accounted for 111 afro-descendant women from a total of 172, and 838 afro-descendent men from a total of 1,103 working in both Brazilian solar projects’ construction. These numbers are expected to continue rising as construction activities continue.

With all these efforts, Atlas has been able to do its part to push forward the DE&I agenda across the industry. But there still remains much more to be done in this space.  

About Atlas Renewable Energy

Atlas Renewable Energy is a renewable energy generation company that develops, builds and operates renewable energy projects with long-term contracts across the Americas. The current company portfolio is 2.2GW of contracted projects in development, construction or operational stages, and aims to expand by an additional 4GW in the next years.

Launched in early 2017, Atlas Renewable Energy includes an experienced team with the longest track record in the solar energy industry in Latin America. The company is recognized for its high standards in the development, construction and operation of large-scale projects.

Atlas Renewable Energy is part of the Energy Fund IV, founded by Actis, a leading private equity investor in the energy sector. Atlas Renewable Energy’s growth is focused on the leading emerging markets and economies, using its proven development, commercialization and structuring know-how to accelerate the transformation toward clean energy. By actively engaging with the community and stakeholders at the center of its project strategy, the company works every day to provide a cleaner future.

To know more about Atlas Renewable Energy, visit: www.atlasrenewableenergy.com

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IJGlobal Recognizes Atlas Renewable Energy with its 2020 ESG Energy Deal of the Year and ESG Social Award

The company has been recognized for its commitment to Diversity and Inclusion, implementing a social program to help close the gender gap in the renewable energy sector.

Miami, FL, Oct. 22, 2021 – Atlas Renewable Energy, an international renewable energy developer, has been awarded IJGlobal’s 2020 ESG Energy Deal of the Year (Americas) and ESG Social Award. The recognitions were announced on Thursday, Oct. 21, at IJGlobal’s award ceremony in London. According to IJGlobal, these two recognitions were awarded to Atlas due to the company’s true commitment to diversity and inclusion by implementing a social program aimed at closing the gender gap in the renewable energy sector.

The ESG Social Award was awarded to Atlas’ program “We are all part of the same energy” a social initiative that has been rolled out in Brazil, Chile and Mexico, and which is implemented during the construction phase of the solar projects the company is currently developing in these countries.

The program aims to upskill the local female workforce with training that will grant them access to opt for more technical jobs within the construction of the projects. At the same time, Atlas mobilized its contractors to prioritize the trainees in their hiring process. This initiative has become Atlas’ flagship social program and it’s aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (#5 – Gender Equality, #8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, #10 – Reduce Inequalities and #12 – Responsible Consumption and Production).

To this date, nearly 1000 women have been trained in different fields, such as civil construction, carpentry, health and safety, module mounting, electricity, among others. This has allowed us to increase female participation in the construction of the projects from a typical 2% to a 15%.

“We Are All Part of the Same Energy” is expected to be implemented in the company’s new upcoming projects so that more women can benefit from these trainings and find new career pathways.

The Jacaranda Solar Plant in Brazil was also recognized by IJGlobal with the Solar Deal of the Year Award (Americas) due to the successful implementation of the program “We are all part of the same energy” during the construction of the project.

During this time more than 214 women were trained in technical skills. Out of the women who were trained, 123 were hired to become part of the construction of Jacaranda. In total, 159 women were hired, which represented 17% of the total hired labor in Jacaranda during peak construction work. The project also focused on hiring underrepresented groups such as the afro-descendant population in the state of Bahia, which formed most of the total workforce, 85% afro-descendant men and 83% afro-descendant women.

“It’s an honor to have our female workforce program ‘We Are All Part of the Same Energy’ and its implementation in the Jacaranda Solar Project recognized by IJGlobal,” said Maria Jose Cortes, Head of ESG at Atlas Renewable Energy. “Creating and implementing this program has been an amazing experience for all of us at Atlas, it has helped us open a door to new opportunities for women in rural areas in Latin America and change paradigms. We are very proud of this, but we know there is still much to do in terms of D&I. We hope this program plants the seed for more inclusive practices in our industry and in the communities where we operate.”

About Atlas Renewable Energy

Atlas Renewable Energy is a renewable energy generation company that develops, builds and operates renewable energy projects with long-term contracts across the Americas. The current company portfolio is 2.2GW of contracted projects in development, construction or operational stages, and aims to expand by an additional 4GW in the next years.

Launched in early 2017, Atlas Renewable Energy includes an experienced team with the longest track record in the solar energy industry in Latin America. The company is recognized for its high standards in the development, construction and operation of large-scale projects.

Atlas Renewable Energy is part of the Energy Fund IV, founded by Actis, a leading private equity investor in the energy sector. Atlas Renewable Energy’s growth is focused on the leading emerging markets and economies, using its proven development, commercialization and structuring know-how to accelerate the transformation toward clean energy. By actively engaging with the community and stakeholders at the center of its project strategy, the company works every day to provide a cleaner future.

To know more about Atlas Renewable Energy, visit: www.atlasrenewableenergy.com

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Atlas Renewable Energy and Unipar sign a Solar Energy PPA in Brazil

Atlas Renewable Energy’s Lar do Sol-Casablanca II project will have an installed capacity of 239MWp and will provide solar energy to Unipar´s factories in Brazil

Sao Paulo, July 16, 2021 – Atlas Renewable Energy, an international leading renewable energy company, along with Unipar, a leader in chlorine, chlorides, and PVC in South America, announced today the signing of a large-scale solar energy power purchase agreement (PPA) in Brazil. The clean solar energy supply will be generated through Atlas Renewable Energy’s Lar do Sol – Casablanca II photovoltaic plant located in Pirapora, State of Minas Gerais.

The Lar do Sol – Casablanca II Solar Plant, which will occupy about 700 hectares, will have an installed capacity of 239MWp with 460,000 solar panels. The plant will host bi-facial module technology, which uses the reflection of the sun’s rays from their front and back sides, increasing the efficiency of the photoelectric conversion and enhancing the overall production of the plant. The project is expected to generate enough energy to supply two of Unipar´s factories, located in Brazil.

Lar do Sol Casablanca II’s yearly energy generation will be the equivalent of supplying energy to about 261,662 households, according to the average consumption of a Brazilian family. Moreover, the plant will approximately avoid 40,500 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year. This calculation is based on the GHG (Green House Gases) Protocol, methodology developed by the World Resources Institute which follows the methods used by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). This amount of CO2 emissions prevented will be the equivalent to removing 16,200 vehicles from the streets of Sao Paulo.

The Lar do Sol – Casablanca II Solar Plant will be developed, built and operated by Atlas Renewable Energy, whose track record and expertise in Latin America has positioned it as one of the fastest-growing renewable energy companies in the Americas and as an essential player in the energy sector in the region. The project adds to Atlas’ rapidly expanding footprint in the Brazilian market with a total of 6 large-scale solar plants amounting to over 1GW. The signing of this long-term agreement with Unipar, one of Brazil’s largest chemical companies, attests to Atlas’ ability to partner with private companies to help them achieve their carbon emission reduction goals as they transition towards a cleaner source of energy.

“The adoption of renewables is becoming a staple of good corporate responsibility and we at Atlas offer a unique opportunity for large energy consumers to clean their energy matrix and at the same time be sponsors of the social and environmental programs we develop to uplift the communities where we operate,” said Luis Pita, General Manager of Atlas Renewable Energy for Brazil. “This contract is a testament to our company leadership in the renewable energy sector in Brazil, as we continue to implement tailor-made solutions with top-of-the-line technologies, elevating industry standards and providing a competitive edge to our clients. It’s an honor to be working with a national chemical leader such as Unipar and partner with them to advance their sustainability goals.”

Mauricio Russomanno, CEO at Unipar, says the agreement takes part in the company’s commitment to the country’s future and the business’s sustainability. “This is one more move towards sustainable solutions that improve the company’s efforts in the search for energy matrices from renewable sources, guaranteeing access to the essential input for our operation and generating greater competitivity through self-production. The total amount of generated energy destined to Unipar will be enough to produce chlorine for the water treatment to over 60 million people”, declares the executive.

As part of Atlas Renewable Energy’s commitment to the areas where it operates, the construction of the Lar do Sol – Casablanca II Solar Plant is set to contract about 1,200 workers in the peak of its activity. The company will also be executing a series of environmental and social programs including the female workforce program “we are all part of the same energy”. The program focuses on the promotion of inclusive practices by empowering the local female workforce through training. With this, Atlas has a goal of having at least 15% female representation in the total workforce during the plant’s construction. This initiative will allow local women to have access to new job opportunities within the project’s construction, generate an opportunity for their economic stability and enhance their skillsets and potential by integrating them into more technical jobs.

About Atlas Renewable Energy

Atlas Renewable Energy is a renewable energy generation company that develops, builds, and operates renewable energy projects with long-term contracts across the Americas. The current company portfolio is 2.35GW of contracted projects in development, construction, or operational stages, and aims to expand by an additional 5GW in the next years.

Launched in early 2017, Atlas Renewable Energy includes an experienced team with the longest track record in the solar energy industry in Latin America. The company is recognized for its high standards in the development, construction, and operation of large-scale projects.

Atlas Renewable Energy is part of the Energy Fund IV, founded by Actis, a leading private equity investor in the energy sector. Atlas Renewable Energy’s growth is focused on the leading emerging markets and economies, using its proven development, commercialization, and structuring know-how to accelerate the transformation toward clean energy. By actively engaging with the community and stakeholders at the center of its project strategy, the company works every day to provide a cleaner future.

To know more about Atlas Renewable Energy, visit: www.atlasrenewableenergy.com

About Unipar

Unipar is a leader in chlorine, chlorides, and PVC in South America, raw material that forms the basis of all industries and is traded on the Brazilian Stock Exchange (B3 S.A. – Brazil, Bolsa, Balcão).

With around 1,400 employees working in its offices and industrial plants in Cubatão (SP) and Santo André (SP), in Brazil, and Bahía Blanca, in Argentina, Unipar is focused on quality, safety, respect for the environment, community integration, and its recognition collaborators.

Throughout its 50 years of history, Unipar has been connected and integrated with the local communities through its Community Advisory Council, which brings together neighbors, social entities, and company representatives. In addition, it is a pioneer in the implementation of the Open Factory Program, which keeps its plants open to visitors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.

Contact Unipar

FSB Comunicação

(11) 3165-9596

unipar@fsb.com.br

Contact Atlas Renewable Energy

Jeffrey Group

(11) 9943-46870

npadilha@jeffreygroup.com

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Atlas Renewable Energy Awarded LatAm Sponsor of the Year and Solar Deal of the Year by IJGlobal

Miami, FL, June 30, 2021 – Atlas Renewable Energy, an international renewable energy developer, was awarded IJGlobal’s 2020 Latin America Sponsor of the Year Award on Tuesday, June 29, for the company’s contributions to accelerating the region’s transformation to clean energy. The company was also awarded Latin America Solar Deal of the Year Award for its Ananuca Financial Deal, which refinanced the Javiera Solar Plant (69.5MW) and financed the construction of the Sol del Desierto Solar Project (230MW) in Chile.

Since the company was founded back in 2017, Atlas Renewable Energy continues to innovate to find the best financial structures for its clients, while always keeping its promise of conducting business in a responsible manner. Most recently, the company was also awarded Latin America Sponsor of the Year and Latin America Solar Deal of the Year by Proximo Infra Awards for Atlas’ New Juazeiro Financial Deal.

Latin America Solar Deal of the Year

The Ananuca Solar Deal in Chile was the largest solar bond in Latin America at the time of signing.  With a unique structure, the deal combined the financing of the construction of a new solar project (Sol del Desierto) and the refinancing of an existing operating plant (Javiera). The two solar PV generation assets have been combined under a single financing portfolio providing investors with key structural benefits and synergies of cross-collateralized assets and cross-guaranteed cash flows.

The 253-million-dollar financing was secured through DNB Markets, which acted as Sole Lead Placement Agent for the notes, under a US Private Placement (USPP) in Green Bond format. The bond was issued under Atlas Renewable Energy’s Green Finance Framework, which is aligned with 2018 versions of the ICMA Green Bond Principles and the LMA Green Loan Principles. This framework recognizes and attests to the company’s commitment to developing projects that protect and preserve the environment while adhering to the highest standards of environmental engagement.

“We are honored to have been awarded solar deal of the year for our Ananuca Deal. This pioneering deal structure provided new avenues for solar financing in the region and furthers Atlas’ innovative approach to project financing working alongside DNB Markets. I’d also like to recognize the support and dedication that DNB Markets has shown to the renewable energy sector in advancing Latin America’s energy transformation,” said Michael Shea, Head of Structured Finance at Atlas Renewable Energy.” This award validates our efforts to continue finding the best financial solutions to advance our projects’ competitiveness in the market.”

Latin America Sponsor of the Year

The company was awarded Latin America Sponsor of the Year for its rapid growth in the region and its innovative approach to designing financial structures alongside high caliber institutions that facilitate renewable energy adoption by large energy consumers in the Americas.

In just 2020, the company signed three major financing contracts: Ananuca worth USD 253 Million, Lar do Sol – Casablanca worth USD 150 million and New Juazeiro for USD 67 Million. These collaborations allowed Atlas to increase its total capacity of contracted projects to 2.2 GW, of which a large portion has been enabled through corporate PPAs with private offtakers.

The company has also partnered with financial institutions such as IDB Invest to develop one of its most ambitious social initiatives: the female workforce program “We are all part of the same energy” in which Atlas is committed to train close to 1,000 women in the communities surrounding its projects under construction and is aiming to reach a target of over 15% of female representation within the total workforce during the execution of these projects.

“This award really belongs to our team who is committed and relentless in challenging industry standards to find new and innovative ways of working.  Fundamentally, we are looking to demonstrate renewables’ ability to be both a sustainable and competitively priced source of energy. And we do so by working together with great partners to find groundbreaking solutions while simultaneously trying to address social issues and promote high sustainability standards,” said Carlos Barrera, CEO of Atlas Renewable Energy. “I’d like to thank IJGlobal for these awards as well as the financial institutions DNB Markets and IDB Invest, among others, for becoming an ally in accelerating the energy transition in the region.”

About Atlas Renewable Energy

Atlas Renewable Energy is a renewable energy generation company that develops, builds and operates renewable energy projects with long-term contracts across the Americas. The current company portfolio is 2.2GW of contracted projects in development, construction or operational stages, and aims to expand by an additional 4GW in the next years.

Launched in early 2017, Atlas Renewable Energy includes an experienced team with the longest track record in the solar energy industry in Latin America. The company is recognized for its high standards in the development, construction and operation of large-scale projects.

Atlas Renewable Energy is part of the Energy Fund IV, founded by Actis, a leading private equity investor in the energy sector. Atlas Renewable Energy’s growth is focused on the leading emerging markets and economies, using its proven development, commercialization and structuring know-how to accelerate the transformation toward clean energy. By actively engaging with the community and stakeholders at the center of its project strategy, the company works every day to provide a cleaner future.

To know more about Atlas Renewable Energy, visit: www.atlasrenewableenergy.com

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Atlas Renewable Energy’s D&I program recognized with LAVCA’s 2021 Gender Diversity Award

Miami, FL, June 8, 2021 – The Association for Private Capital Investment in Latin America (LAVCA), dedicated to supporting the growth of private capital in the region, recognized Atlas Renewable Energy with the 2021 Gender and Diversity Award for their Female Workforce Program during the Seventh Annual Latin American Private Capital ESG Deal Awards on June 2nd.

The program was submitted by Actis, Atlas Renewable Energy’s sponsor and active member of LAVCA, which was recognized for supporting social and gender diversity through one of Atlas’ initiatives. The winners were determined by a distinguished panel of institutional investors from development finance institutions, insurance companies and pension funds.

Atlas Renewable Energy’s female workforce program “We are all part of the same energy” stood out because of its goals to improve local women’s access to employment, entrepreneurial opportunities and leadership positions across the corporate value chain. The program established an ambitious target to increase female representation in the construction workforce of the company’s solar projects from a 2% to a 10-15%.

The program has become Atlas’ ESG flagship initiative in the communities where the company is building new renewable energy projects in Brazil, Mexico and Chile. With this Atlas aims to address the existing gender gap in the renewable energy sector. Furthermore, the program is directly aligned with five of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: #5 – Gender Equality, #8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, #10 – Reduce Inequalities and #12 – Responsible Consumption and Production.

“We are all part of the same energy” was created with the intention to develop technical skills in the local female workforce such as electricity, mechanics, quality control, carpentry and environmental management which will grant women access to better job opportunities within the construction of Atlas’ own projects under execution or others being developed in their communities. At the same time, Atlas mobilized its contractors to prioritize women who participated in the trainings during their hiring process.

“To this day, the program has trained close to 700 women in three countries and plans to reach 1,000 in the coming months. As the projects advance and others are added, we expect an increase in these results and at the same time a change in paradigm within our industry and the communities we touch,” said María José Cortés, Head of ESG at Atlas Renewable Energy. “It is an honor that Actis and Atlas are both being recognized for their shared vision toward gender diversity. The female workforce program is proof that good corporate social responsibility inspires and promotes best practices beyond the office and that it can positively impact our society.” 

About Actis

Actis is a leading investor in growth markets across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Actis delivers consistent, competitive returns, responsibly, through insights gained from trusted relationships, local knowledge and deep sector expertise.

Founded in 2004, Actis has an unparalleled heritage in growth markets, set within a culture of active ownership. Actis has raised US$19bn since inception and employs c.300 people, including a team of c.120 investment professionals, working across 17 offices globally.  Actis’ investors’ capital is at work in c.100 companies around the world, employing over 120,000 people.

To learn more about Actis, visit: https://www.act.is/

About Atlas Renewable Energy

Atlas Renewable Energy is a renewable energy generation company that develops, builds and operates renewable energy projects with long-term contracts across the Americas. The current company portfolio is 2.2GW of contracted projects in development, construction or operational stages, and aims to expand by an additional 4GW in the next years.

Launched in early 2017, Atlas Renewable Energy includes an experienced team with the longest track record in the solar energy industry in Latin America. The company is recognized for its high standards in the development, construction and operation of large-scale projects.

Atlas Renewable Energy is part of the Energy Fund IV, founded by Actis, a leading private equity investor in the energy sector. Atlas Renewable Energy’s growth is focused on the leading emerging markets and economies, using its proven development, commercialization and structuring know-how to accelerate the transformation toward clean energy. By actively engaging with the community and stakeholders at the center of its project strategy, the company works every day to provide a cleaner future.

To know more about Atlas Renewable Energy, visit: www.atlasrenewableenergy.com

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Atlas Renewable Energy executes its 2nd USD Finance Project in Brazil’s Renewable Sector with IDB Invest and DNB Bank

São Paulo, May 6, 2021 – Atlas Renewable Energy, a leading renewable energy company in the Americas, announced today that it has obtained a USD 150 million loan from IDB Invest, a member of IDB Group, and from DNB Bank ASA (the largest financial services group in Norway) to finance the construction of its Lar do Sol – Casablanca project, a 359MWp solar project to be developed in Brazil that will provide clean energy to Anglo American’s operations in Minas Gerais.

The loan was secured from IDB Invest, including the Clean Technology Fund and the Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector in the Americas – Phase II, both administered by IDB Invest, together with a participation from DNB Bank ASA.

The plant will generate 805 GWh per year and the Power Purchase Agreement is, to date, the largest contract with a solar project for the supply of clean energy to a private offtaker in Brazil and indexed to the United States dollar. Lar do Sol – Casablanca’s generation will be the equivalent of supplying energy to 390,000 houses per year according to the average consumption of a Brazilian family and will avoid approximately 50,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year, which could be compared to removing 19,867 vehicles from the streets of São Paulo in the same period.

The Casablanca solar plant is part of Anglo American’s strategy to use 100% renewable energy for its operations in Brazil as of 2022 and is integrated into its Sustainable Mining Plan which has a goal of reducing 30% of its global CO2 emission by 2030.

This transaction was structured following a similar format used by Atlas Renewable Energy in a recently announced financing for its Jacaranda solar plant, which was also financed by IDB Invest and DNB Bank ASA. It also falls under Atlas’ Green Finance Framework – a testament to the company’s commitment to developing projects that protect and preserve the environment while adhering to the highest standards of social and environmental engagement. 100% of the photovoltaic solar modules that will be installed in Lar do Sol- Casablanca will use bifacial technology, increasing project performance with the aim of making electricity production more efficient through solar energy.

Furthermore, in line with Atlas Renewable Energy’s commitment to an ambitious social engagement agenda, the company will be implementing social programs in the local community that actively promote diversity and inclusion. To achieve this, the company will expand its program “we are all part of the same energy” to Lar do Sol – Casablanca’s construction site, an initiative created to train and develop technical skills and knowhow of over 200 women who live in the neighboring communities.

The program also entails promoting women who participate in trainings to have the opportunity to opt for skilled jobs within Lar do Sol – Casablanca’s construction program. The company established a goal to integrate at least 15% of female representation within the total workforce, which aims to quadruplicate the number of women performing technical jobs in solar projects within the region. To that end, actions have been taken to ensure that women are not deterred from working at the project site due to family responsibilities. Among other things, the company will grant working mothers with children between the ages of 0-12 years old a financial incentive to cover childcare expenses. In addition to involving women in the construction process, Atlas has mobilized all contractors in the project to prioritize local minorities in the hiring process, looking to include at least 30% of afro-descendants within the number of women hired and at least 40% within the number of men hired. These goals are part of the company’s approach to ensuring diversity and inclusion within the energy industry and promote equalitarian practices by empowering minorities across all its operations.

“We are pleased to achieve another successful financial close alongside IDB Invest and DNB Bank ASA, two institutions that have become important allies in structuring innovative financing solutions to help consumers transition to renewable energy. Moreover, we are extremely proud of our partnership with IDB Invest in creating a unique and ambitious social responsibility program that directly addresses diversity and inclusion within our value chain. We believe that clean energy should be responsibly sourced, therefore we are committed to tackling social inequalities and cultural biases from our line of work,” said Carlos Barrera, Atlas Renewable Energy’s CEO. “We look forward to continue accelerating the Brazilian market’s renewable energy potential in a sustainable manner, while providing the best-in-class solutions to large energy consumers.”

“This financing demonstrates IDB Invest’s commitment to investing in clean energy and for helping companies dedicated to implementing decarbonization programs in their businesses,” said Gian Franco Carassale, Head of Infrastructure and Energy Division at IDB Invest. “In addition, our institution is proud to work together with Atlas Renewable Energy to support programs where the inclusion of women and minorities is a priority. We hope to have more opportunities like this in the future.”

“We are very proud to once again support Atlas Renewable Energy with this new financing in Brazil through IDB Invest,” said Emilio Fabbrizzi, Managing Director and Head of renewables and infrastructure for the Americas at DNB Markets, Inc. “Apart from implementing a long-term and innovative structure for Brazil, we highlight that it is also aligned with Atlas Renewable Energy’s Green Finance Framework, which was executed through DNB Markets, Inc. in 2019.”

About Atlas Renewable Energy

Atlas Renewable Energy is a renewable energy generation company that develops, builds, and operates renewable energy projects with long-term contracts across the Americas. The current company portfolio is 2.2GW of contracted projects in development, construction, or operational stages, and aims to expand by an additional 4GW in the next years.

Launched in early 2017, Atlas Renewable Energy includes an experienced team with the longest track record in the solar energy industry in Latin America. The company is recognized for its high standards in the development, construction, and operation of large-scale projects.

Atlas Renewable Energy is part of the Energy Fund IV, founded by Actis, a leading private equity investor in the energy sector. Atlas Renewable Energy’s growth is focused on the leading emerging markets and economies, using its proven development, commercialization, and structuring know-how to accelerate the transformation toward clean energy. By actively engaging with the community and stakeholders at the center of its project strategy, the company works every day to provide a cleaner future.

To know more about Atlas Renewable Energy, visit: www.atlasrenewableenergy.com

About IDB Invest

IDB Invest, A member of the IDB Group, it is a multilateral development bank committed to promoting the economic development of its member countries in Latin America and the Caribbean through the private sector. IDB Invest finances sustainable companies and projects to achieve financial results and maximize economic, social and environmental development in the region. With a portfolio of US $ 13.1 billion in assets under management and 385 clients in 25 countries, IDB Invest provides innovative financial solutions and advisory services that respond to the needs of its clients in a variety of sectors.

About DNB Bank ASA and DNB Markets, Inc.

DNB is Norway’s largest financial services group and one of the largest among the Nordic countries in market capitalization. DNB Markets, Inc. is a subsidiary of DNB Bank ASA, and is a registered a U.S. broker-dealer and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”).The Group is among the world’s leading banks in transportation, energy and seafood. The bank has a selective global focus on renewable energy, with a special emphasis on hydroelectric, wind and solar technologies and is committed to supporting sustainable initiatives with green solutions.

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