Zelestra marked a significant milestone with the official inauguration of the 300 MW San Martín Solar Project on July 17th. The event was attended by the President of the Republic of Peru, Dina Boluarte, and the Minister of Energy and Mines, Jorge Luis Montero Cornejo. They were joined by several other dignitaries, including the Regional Governor of Arequipa, Rohel Sánchez, the Provincial Mayor of Arequipa, Víctor Rivera, Vice Ministers, and other local and state officials.
The San Martín Solar Project, now fully operational, is the largest solar power plant ever built in Peru. Located in La Joya, Arequipa, the site was strategically selected for its high solar potential. The plant is expected to generate over 830 GWh of clean electricity annually, which is enough to meet the energy needs of more than 440,000 households across the country. Additionally, the project is estimated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 166,549 tons every year, contributing significantly to Peru’s sustainability goals.
Jorge Luis Montero Cornejo, The Minister of Energy & Mines, stated, “We congratulate the promoters of this megaproject. Thanks to the coordinated work with investors, this megaproject is today a reality to advance a common goal: to achieve greater security, sustainability and diversification of the national electricity matrix, fully aligning with Peru’s energy transition policy.”
José Luis García, CEO for Latin America at Zelestra, said in a statement, “With San Martín, we are accelerating our roadmap to make Latin America a key axis of global renewable growth. Projects like this consolidate our regional presence and demonstrate that it is possible to scale clean energy with real and sustainable impact.”
The project was developed and delivered in less than 18 months, led by Zelestra’s in-house engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) team. During peak construction, it created employment opportunities for over 900 workers. The plant consists of 450,000 solar modules and reflects Zelestra’s commitment to renewable energy development.
The electricity produced by the San Martín Solar Project is procured under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) by Kallpa Generación, Zelestra’s client. This partnership is supporting Kallpa’s ongoing efforts to diversify its energy mix in Peru by integrating more clean energy sources into its portfolio.
