Bolivia's Solar Plant Will Reduce Annual Gas Consumption

The president of the Bolivian National Electricity Company (ENDE), Joaquin Rodriguez, said that the Uyuni Photovoltaic Solar Plant will save 2,300 million cubic feet of natural gas consumption per year.

The idea is, within the framework of the policies of change of the energy matrix, to use other types of electricity sources to displace natural gas, said Rodriguez quoted by the Bolivian Information Agency.

According to the official, this new solar plant is friendly to the environment and will prevent the burning or emission of 72,000 tons of CO2 or polluting gases.

He also explained that this facility located in Potosi has 160,000 photovoltaic units or panels and that its building demanded an investment of 73.6 million dollars.

Uyuni plant, to date the largest in the country with about 105 hectares, was inaugurated over the weekend in an act chaired by President Evo Morales.

According to official data, its operation will add 60 megawatts of electricity to the National Interconnected System.