France's Voltalia SA said on Tuesday that it has begun the gradual commissioning of its 320-megawatt SSM1&2 solar power plant in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte. Located within the world's largest 2.4 GW Serra Branca wind and solar cluster, the solar park is currently operating at 18 MW with 31,000 photovoltaic (PV) panels switched on.

Voltalia expects the facility to reach full capacity by June 30. The renewable power plant operator said in a press release that SSM1 & 2 are supported by five long-term electricity sales contracts with an average duration of 16 years. In March 2022, the French renewable energy generator sold a 33% stake in SSM1&2 to investment fund STOA.

This is the second deal between the two parties and the fund's third in the country. STOA previously acquired a 33% stake in Voltalia’s 152 MW Ventos Serra do Mel III (VSM3) wind farm, which is also part of the Serra Branca cluster, in September 2020.