Engie, a major player in the energy sector, is exploring the installation of battery storage and bitcoin mining data centers within its recently launched solar facility in Brazil, which is now the largest in the company's global portfolio. An executive from Engie indicated that these technologies are alternatives aimed at reducing the generation cuts that have negatively impacted not only Engie's solar project but also the broader Brazilian renewable energy sector.

The Assú Sol complex, situated in Rio Grande do Norte, boasts an installed capacity of 753 MW and has just commenced full commercial operations after two and a half years of development and investments totaling R$ 3.3 billion by Engie Brasil Energia. The expansive project features over 1.5 million photovoltaic modules and generates sufficient power to supply approximately 850,000 consumers, with its energy production contracted by companies in the free market.

Despite its size and potential, the solar facility faces challenges due to energy generation cuts imposed by the National Electric System Operator (ONS). These restrictions have raised concerns not only for Engie's operations but also for other stakeholders within the renewable energy industry in Brazil, highlighting the need for innovative solutions like battery storage or data centers to enhance operational reliability and sustainability.