BUENOS AIRES, April 17 (Reuters) - Automaker Stellantis

said on Wednesday it will pay $100 million to acquire

49.5% of 360 Energy Solar, one of Argentina's leading solar

power producers, in a push towards making its plants more energy

self-sufficient.

Stellantis ( STLA ), which makes and sells Citroen, Fiat and Peugeot

vehicles in the South American country, said in a statement the

partners will develop additional solar plants, install

large-scale solar storage systems and produce hydrogen energy.

The investment will allow the automaker to boost renewable

energy at its Ferreyra and El Palomar plants in the provinces of

Cordoba and Buenos Aires, respectively, Stellantis ( STLA ) said. Both

facilities are powered by 360's La Rioja solar power plant.

360 Energy owns six photovoltaic plants in the provinces of

San Juan, Catamarca and La Rioja, with an installed generating

capacity of more than 250 megawatts.