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Solarium Carioca: From landfill to clean energy production hub
Published on 02/11/2025 - 15:07 | Updated on 02/11/2025 - 16:06
Solarium Carioca opens in Santa Cruz - Photo: Beth Santos The Rio de Janeiro City Hall inaugurated this Sunday (November 2nd) the Carioca Solarium – a 5-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic solar power plant that will generate annual savings of approximately R$ 2 million for the municipal public coffers. The Santa Cruz plant, structured in partnership with the C40 Cities network and the German agency GIZ, through the CFF – Cities Finance Facility program, is considered a milestone in the municipal energy transition, transforming a former landfill into a clean energy production hub.
– Today's launch represents a unique moment to celebrate the municipality's participation in implementing concrete climate solutions, showing that it is feasible to transform a bold and innovative idea into a tangible and efficient project. Today's inauguration is a milestone. We have transformed an underutilized landfill into a clean energy generation hub. This transition to renewable energy generates a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and savings of over R$ 2 million per year for the city. Furthermore, it also generates 234 direct jobs and 60 indirect jobs, prioritizing the local population. In other words, it is a sound choice from an environmental point of view, but also from an economic point of view, a decision that boosts our economy and reduces the use of fossil fuels – stated Mayor Eduardo Paes.
With a total area of 15 hectares, 8,4 hectares of which are effectively occupied by solar panels, the Carioca Solarium has 9.240 solar panels of 700 watts each, responsible for converting sunlight into electricity capable of supplying several municipal public buildings – enough to provide energy for about 100 municipal schools per day. Other idle areas in the city are already being mapped for the installation of photovoltaic plants similar to the Carioca Solarium, with the goal of reaching 20 megawatts by 2028.
The Santa Cruz solar power plant was built in just five months, with construction starting in June 2025. The project was made possible through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), structured by the Companhia Carioca de Parcerias e Investimentos (CCPar), in collaboration with the municipal secretariats of Finance and Planning and Government Coordination. With an investment of R$ 45 million from the winning private consortium, the Rio Solar Consortium, the initiative did not generate financial costs for the City Hall, which provided the land for the installation of the solar panels. The energy acquired by the municipality, in addition to being 100% clean, will be 20% cheaper. The contract establishes a 25-year concession for the implementation, operation, and maintenance of the plant.
“I had the opportunity to follow this project closely. The sheer scale of it is truly impressive. The Carioca Solarium represents an initiative whose models are being replicated in 30 cities around the world, totaling 38 distinct projects that directly benefit more than 1,2 million people and indirectly, tens of millions. With over 2 billion dollars in investments directed to these projects, strengthening leadership in the municipal public sector and, consequently, fostering private partnerships,” highlighted Mark Watt, executive director of C40 Cities, in his speech launching the project.
The launch symbolizes the global impact of local action: the Carioca Solarium was created with support from the C40 Cities Financing Facility (CFF), launched at COP21 by Eduardo Paes, then president of C40, to bring sustainable projects to life and transform climate plans into concrete action.
– The United Kingdom pioneered the public-private partnership model in the early 1990s. For this reason, we are proud to support ventures like this one, which employ smart financial strategies to mobilize climate capital and public resources. The Carioca Solarium is an inspiring model and a practical example of a just transition strategy. Its impact is not limited to mitigating emissions, but encompasses the creation of 3.500 opportunities for young people and support for marginalized communities. I would like to express my gratitude to the city of Rio for its ambition and for the invitation that made this idea a reality – said Simon Stevens, representative of the British government, who also participated in the inauguration.
The meeting also included the presence of the representative of the German government, Jan Freigang (German Consul General in Brazil), and the director for Brazil of Giz, Jochen Quinten. The realization of the project is particularly symbolic as it occurs on the eve of major climate meetings in Rio: the COP30 Local Leaders Forum and the C40 World Summit of Mayors, from November 3rd to 5th, at the MAM (Museum of Modern Art).
Financing solution for climate action in the city
The CFF mechanism model, used to plan and develop the Carioca Solarium, could be replicated on other vacant lots or degraded areas of the city, expanding the positive environmental impact and promoting the intelligent use of urban land.
The CFF, which turns 10 in 2025, supports cities in preparing and implementing sustainable infrastructure projects. Through financial contributions, the CFF transforms resilient and inclusive climate action plans into concrete projects that make a real difference in people's lives.
Launched at COP21 in Paris in December 2015 by Mayor Eduardo Paes in his then position as president of the C40 network, the CFF is jointly implemented by C40 and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Clean energy where there was previously waste.
The land chosen for the plant's construction in Santa Cruz was, for decades, one of the city's main waste disposal sites. Deactivated and without urban function since the closure of the old landfill, the space now has a new purpose: to generate clean, sustainable, and renewable energy.
From an environmental standpoint, the Carioca Solarium is expected to prevent the emission of approximately 40 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) per year, which is equivalent to removing about 25 vehicles from the streets. The project is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN's 2030 Agenda.
Economic and social impact
In addition to direct savings on energy bills, the project generates 234 direct jobs and 60 indirect jobs, as well as stimulating the local economy, since the concessionaire gives preference to hiring companies and service providers from the surrounding area: for security, food, purchase of PPE, concrete, steel, among others.
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