A major French energy company is considering an unusual solution to maximize profits at its newest solar facility in Brazil: cryptocurrency mining operations.
Engie, the French utility giant, is exploring the possibility of adding bitcoin mining data centers or energy storage systems to its Assu Sol solar plant, according to Eduardo Sattamini, the company’s Brazil operations manager.
The massive solar facility in northeastern Brazil boasts 895 megawatts of installed capacity and reached full operational status this month, making it Engie’s largest solar project globally. However, the plant’s profitability has been hampered by forced production reductions needed to maintain grid stability.
“We are looking at some possible offtakers,” Sattamini explained to reporters during a conference call last week.
The production limitations, known as curtailments, occur when the electrical grid cannot handle all the renewable energy being generated. This issue has plagued Brazil’s solar and wind energy sectors since 2023, resulting in billions of reais in financial losses for energy companies.
Brazil’s curtailment problems stem from multiple factors: a rapid increase in new renewable energy facilities, sluggish electricity demand growth, inadequate grid infrastructure, and the explosive growth of distributed solar generation, including rooftop installations.
To address these challenges at Assu Sol, Sattamini said the company is evaluating options to create local energy demand, including cryptocurrency mining facilities and storage systems. However, he cautioned that implementation would not happen quickly.
“That’s not coming next month. It will take a couple of years for us to implement,” he stated.
