In the heart of Minas Gerais, a 611 megawatt (MW) solar plant with more than one million photovoltaic modules marks a major operational step in Brazil’s energy transition.
The Arinos Solar Park, developed by Enel Green Power, a company of the Enel Group, and operational since early 2025, marks the company’s first power generation site of this scale in southeastern Brazil.
An investment of approximately 2.8 billion reais (€450 million) supported over 3,500 jobs during construction, including 1,030 local hires, to generate approximately 7 million reais (€1.1 million) in labour income.
Part of Enel Group’s broader sustainability programme, the Arinos plant is connected to 24 projects implemented and 154 initiatives developed, directly benefitting around 47,800 people.
Powering homes and cutting emissions
Designed to produce about 1.4 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity per year, the plant can power the equivalent of 680,000 homes. Its environmental impact is equally significant: an estimated 790,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions are avoided each year.
These figures highlight the tangible benefits of the plant, demonstrating how it contributes directly to Brazil’s energy transition and carbonneutral goals.
Automation, digital operations and predictive maintenance
Operational management relies heavily on automation, enabling predictive, data-driven maintenance. Vegetation containment is handled by mechanized machines and autonomous robots, reducing workplace risks and ensuring more consistent interventions.
A mechanised Sunbrush cleaning system is internally reported to use up to 70 per cent less water than manual washing and increase daily efficiency by as much as 80 per cent, helping preserve module performance. Drone inspections shorten diagnostic times and speed up identification of performance dips or technical faults.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning support the Operation & Maintenance teams by classifying anomalies and anticipating inefficiencies. The SOL – Solar Operational Level platform, developed in PI Vision, provides real-time asset monitoring and targeted team deployment. Weather patterns, solar radiation, inverter performance, and lightning strikes are tracked continuously via an integrated system to improve safety and predictability.
Reinforcing a leading position in Brazil’s renewables market
The project strengthens Enel Group’s presence in Brazil, where the company is now the country’s leading solar and wind operator. It manages 6.6 gigawatt (GW) of capacity nationwide: 3.5 GW from wind, 1.8 GW from solar and 1.3 GW from hydro sources.
Globally, Enel Group operates a portfolio of around 89 GW across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania – 63 GW of which comes from renewable sources.
A community-centred approach
Alongside the technical investment, Arinos is connected to a comprehensive social programme developed with surrounding communities. Numerous initiatives have engaged local residents in areas such as environmental education, citizenship, health, diversity, culture, entrepreneurship and vocational training.
Through the Enel Compartilha Oportunidade programme, local hiring was prioritised during construction. Eight professional courses were offered in partnership with the Federal Institute of Northern Minas Gerais (IFNMG), with 192 graduates.
In schools, the Baú de Leitura project introduced reading rooms with 1,200 titles in both physical and digital formats, complemented by storytelling workshops that reached more than 770 students. A dedicated entrepreneurship call supported 10 local associations, encouraging projects that strengthen social and economic development.
Inclusion, economic development and environmental restoration
Local inclusion efforts have been central to the project. APAE Arinos, which provides assistance for people with intellectual disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders, has been equipped with a photovoltaic system expected to cut its energy costs by half. The savings will fund the expansion of its day centre—currently serving around 40 adults—and the creation of new spaces including an auditorium, classrooms and a computer center.
Environmental recovery has been bolstered through the Seed Bank initiative, which cultivates native Cerrado seedlings and fruit trees for rural producers. Hosted at the Waldemar Fonseca Melo Municipal Centre, the programme supports ecological reforestation, agricultural diversification, food security and income generation.
Cultural and economic life has been strengthened through the Arinos open-air market, located in the Chico Mendes Association area. It showcases regional products and serves nearby communities such as of Colônia dos Ciganos, Roça Campolina, Carlos Lamarca, and Carro Quebrado. Sports and Neurodiversity activities add to this ecosystem, offering workshops designed to foster inclusion, build motor skills and social communication, and open pathways for professional development.