BNZ, an independent power producer that develops, builds and operates renewable energy projects, has signed an energy performance contract (EPC) with Proef for the Muro solar PV plant, located in Trofa, in the Porto district.

The Muro PV plant will have an installed capacity of 28.37 MWp and an estimated annual production of 43.68 GWh, which will avoid the emission of more than 14,000 tonnes of carbon per year. The project is scheduled to come on stream in the second quarter of 2026.

This contract represents an important milestone for BNZ, being the first EPC contract signed by the company in 2025 for a renewable project in Portugal. The agreement comes after BNZ signed its first PPA in Portugal in October 2024, which was a key step in the company’s consolidation in the renewable energy market in Southern Europe.

Luís Selva, CEO of BNZ, said: ‘We are very pleased with the signing of the contract for the Muro solar PV plant, in partnership with a reference partner. This development represents a strategic step to strengthen our presence in Portugal and in Europe, as well as to contribute to the energy transition in these countries. We are deeply committed to promoting the decarbonisation of the economy, and the Muro project is another example of the solutions we are developing to achieve this goal’.

Daniel Sanchez, Director of Engineering and Construction at BNZ, said: ‘The signing of this EPC contract is a key milestone in the development of the Muro solar plant, reflecting our commitment to implementing solutions that drive 100% sustainable energy production. This project not only consolidates BNZ as a reference in sustainable project engineering, but also demonstrates our focus on developing infrastructure aligned with the highest environmental standards’.

Fernando Ferreira, Administrator of Proef, said: ‘It is with enthusiasm that we celebrate the signing of our first contract with BNZ for the construction of the Muro photovoltaic plant in the municipality of Trofa. This project represents a milestone for Proef and we expect it to become an example in the energy transition and decarbonisation of the region. We are committed to carrying out this project with the highest quality and efficiency, applying innovative and sustainable solutions that reflect our technical expertise. For Proef, this is more than a project: it is an opportunity to actively contribute to the sustainable transformation of the municipality of Trofa. We thank BNZ for their confidence in Proef – this is not just a step, but a commitment to a cleaner and more responsible future’.

Arnaldo Gaspar, Commercial Director of Proef, announced: ‘It is with great satisfaction that we can announce the signing of the contract with BNZ for the construction of the photovoltaic plant in Muro on an EPC basis. This achievement is the result of the collaborative work developed with BNZ over the past years, which has allowed us to achieve the objectives of optimising the technical and financial solution. We are very proud to be able to contribute to reducing the carbon footprint in the municipality of Trofa’.

The implementation of this solar plant has been supported by strategic partners, such as Andersen, as legal advisor; Enertis, as technical consultant; and TripleWatt, responsible for the development of the project.

Commitment to energy transition and local impact

The Muro photovoltaic plant reinforces the company’s commitment to 100% renewable energy production, with the goal of reaching an aggregate renewable energy portfolio of more than 1.7 GW across Europe. In this way, BNZ contributes to the promotion of the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the economy.

This project also seeks to support the sustainable economic development of the local communities in which it is embedded, through job creation and the involvement of local entities from the outset of the project.