- Partnership with Detronic is key milestone as Appian looks to deploy clean energy solutions at its operations to off-set and reduce CO2 emissions on a portfolio basis
- Development of 62.4MWp of solar power plants will provide attractive risk-adjusted returns given Minas Gerais, Brazil, a key mining region, is one of the most attractive regions for solar projects globally
- Accelerates the internalizing of renewable energy skillsets to deploy across Appian’s mining portfolio as part of our clean energy solutions and mining adjacent strategy
- Utilizing Detronic’s expertise to add inside-the-fence clean energy projects to Appian’s mining operations will lead to carbon emission reductions and reduce energy costs and margin volatility
Appian Capital Advisory LLP, the investment advisor to long-term value-focused private equity funds that invest solely in mining and mining-related companies, and Detronic Energia, an experienced renewable energy solutions provider in Brazil, are pleased to announce a clean energy partnership in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Appian has entered into a joint venture partnership with Detronic to develop a portfolio of 20 ready-to-build solar parks. The partnership will develop parks with a total capacity of 62.4MWp in Minas Gerais. As a leading mining state in Brazil, Minas Gerais is one of the most attractive regions for photovoltaic projects in the country and the world, due to its excellent solar irradiation and fiscal incentives. In addition to its planned projects in the state, Appian and Detronic are currently evaluating opportunities for additional solar farms at its individual mine sites across Brazil given the high suitability of the Detronic design.
The Detronic Appian partnership is a core element of Appian’s clean energy and mining adjacent strategy to support the business’ ambitions to decarbonise its operations and simultaneously improve margins.
The energy pricing environment, low project risk execution and the fiscal benefits for solar generation in Minas Gerais are key benefits of the Detronic partnership, which is set to deliver attractive risk adjusted returns for Appian’s investors. Minas Gerais is the largest distributed generation market in Brazil with 2.5GWp already installed. Furthermore, the development of the renewable energy portfolio in Brazil will serve as a hedge and reduce Appian’s exposure to future energy price rises at its operations in the country.
Alongside its environmental and economic benefits, this partnership will enable Appian to further develop its inhouse clean energy and sustainability expertise, particularly around incorporating renewable projects into Appian mine sites going forward.
Detronic’s business model is fully integrated covering everything from project development to final energy distribution and operations. With this 360° structure Detronic is able to support across the value chain for the development of clean energy portfolio.
The development of the 20 solar sites in Minas Gerais, which will be led by Detronic’s dedicated construction arm, is set to begin in Q2 2023. Detronic has an established track-record of developing solar generation on time and on budget, using a standardized design and repeatable execution methodology which is also suitable for Appian’s mines sites. It has 34 solar farms recently built and grid connected as well as a further 47 under construction. Detronic’s current operations are off-setting 6,263 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Michael W. Scherb, Founder and CEO of Appian, commented: “This is a significant milestone for Appian’s sustainability ambitions. As a leading investor in mining, we see ESG as core to the delivery of our strategy and the success of our investments. By partnering with an industry expert in Detronic, we have demonstrated that providing clean energy to our portfolio in Brazil is a priority, alongside delivering attractive, risk-adjusted returns to our investors in the process. I look forward to working with our team to deliver on the opportunity that this partnership presents for our business.”
Andre Barreto, Founder and CEO of Detronic, added: “Working with Appian is the result of significant planning and preparation. We live in a connected and electrical world, and renewable energy sources are the protagonists of a sustainable future. This is a partnership built on purpose, and we are eager to combine the efforts of two incredible teams to achieve common goals and results. Appian’s strategic vision and global presence will be key foundations for the development of new projects across the planet.”
