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Boosting Bolivia’s Energy Supply with one of the World’s Highest Solar Power Plants

AFD News

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L’AFD inaugure la deuxième phase de la plus haute centrale photovoltaïque du monde

The development of Bolivia’s Oruro photovoltaic power station entered its second phase in February. The major infrastructural project takes the country one step closer to boosting Bolivia’s energy supply. On 10 February 2021, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the French Embassy and the European Union Delegation inaugurated the second phase. It’s a milestone in Bolivia’s energy transition, as it expands the supply of non-carbon energy alternatives.

At an altitude of 3,735 meters, it’s one of the highest solar in the world, and with a total capacity of 100 MW, the Oruro photovoltaic power station is also Bolivia’s biggest. 

Some of Brazil’s top officials and power sector executives inaugurated the second phase of the Oruro photovoltaic power station on 10 February: 

  • Bolivian President, Luis Arce Catacora
  • Vice-President David Choquehuanca 
  • Minister of Hydrocarbons and Energy, Franklin Molina 
  • Minister of Government, Eduardo Castillo
  • President of ENDE Corporación, Marco Antonio Escobar
  • Senior executives from power sector companies including construction company TSK and the construction management company EQO NIXUS/AIN ACTIVE/OCA INT.



The power station is the result of a rich national experience in the construction, operation and maintenance of solar power stations. This project is also a further milestone for the energy transition objective of the Bolivian Government, which aims to switch its energy grid towards low-carbon renewable energies by 2050.

The two phases of the project amount to a total cost of €86 million, including €60 million from a loan allocated to the Bolivian State by AFD, €8.5 million from an investment subsidy, combined with a sectoral technical assistance program, financed by the European Union (LAIF) and €17.5 million financed by the Central Bank of Bolivia.

“Our financing mandate is in line with the Paris Agreement and we’re very proud to be promoting the development of renewable energies with the Government and ENDE for the well-being of the Bolivian population”, says Alexia Levesque, AFD’s Director in Bolivia. 

“This project is contributing to changing the image of the Department of Oruro, which has traditionally been a mining area, by focusing on new, clean technologies to meet energy demands.” Alexia Levesque welcomes AFD’s participation in a sustainable project, which will protect Pachamama, or “Mother Earth” in Andean culture.

This project contributes to the diversification of Bolivia’s energy mix by strengthening the country’s energy supply and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (100,000 TeqCO2 annually). It will also generate revenue for the country by increasing gas exports and creating new jobs.

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