Another 2.2 GWh of batteries advance in Chile

Two utility-scale BESS progressing in Chile are set to bring a further 2,156 MWh of energy storage capacity to the nation’s grid in 2027.

US-based developer Atlas Renewable Energy has secured a 15-year PPA from Chilean utility Colbún for a 230 MW/920 MWh BESS planned in the María Elena commune of the Antofagasta region.

Colbún will take up to 335 GWh per year from the site – enough to power around 140,000 homes – which is slated for commercial operation in 2027 and will connect to the grid via the Crucero substation.

In March 2024, Atlas, part of New York-based Global Infrastructure Partners, landed a PPA from oil and gas company COPEC for the 200 MW/800 MWh BESS del Desierto project, also in María Elena.

In January, Colbún announced the start of construction of the 228 MW/912 MWh Celda solar storage project, in the Camarones commune of Chile’s Arica and Parinacota region.

Greece’s Metlen Energy and Metals is continuing to build on its energy storage presence in Chile by submitting plans for its 252 MW/1,236 MWh Los Boldos solar-plus-storage project for environmental assessment.

The $290 million site, which would also feature 300 MW of solar generation capacity and would require a 23.3 km electricity transmission line, is due online in June 2027. The 3.3-hectare BESS would form part of the project planned in La Ligua commune of the Petorca province in the Valparaíso region.

Metlen, part of the Mytilineos Holdings conglomerate, in March signed engineering, procurement, and construction services contracts for more than 2.5 GWh of Chilean energy storage sites, as well as 190.5 MWp of solar generation capacity, all of it due before next April.

The company is also developing the 1,607 MWh Mesembria BESS, which is due online in Chile this year.

From pv magazine LatAm.