Sungrow to supply massive 2 GWh Dune Plus solar-plus-storage plant in Chile as construction starts

Generadora Metropolitana, a joint venture between Chilean developer AME and EDF Power Solutions Chile, has announced it has commenced construction on the Dune Plus energy storage project in the Antofagasta Region. ESS News can reveal that Sungrow is the EPC on the Dune Plus project, while also supplying the battery energy storage systems, and providing the long term service agreement (LTSA).

The project represents a total investment of US$629 million and will add 509 MW / 2,036 MWh storage capacity to the country’s largest solar plant, and will be contracted to Codelco, the world’s largest copper miner, which is located in the region.

Under a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA), Generadora Metropolitana will supply 1 TWh of renewable energy annually to the mining and mineral extraction operations.

Dune Plus consists of two distinct technical components located in the commune of María Elena:

• Dune BESS: A 333 MW / 1,334 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) with a four-hour duration, which is standalone, but be co-located with the existing CEME1 photovoltaic plant that came online in 2024.
• La Pampina: A new hybrid facility combining a 186 MW solar PV plant with a 175 MW / 702 MWh battery system, also with a four-hour duration.

Back of the envelope calculations suggest that based on historical data from the CEME1 plant, it generates around 1,450 TWh of solar energy per year. Given the contracted energy, that leaves an estimated surplus of ~450 GWh/year. The battery component, while not mentioned, may also store excess energy from the grid.

Sungrow’s role

The project utilizes 406 battery containers, approximately 297,000 solar panels, and 150 transformers across a 186-hectare site. A 33 kV electrical room will interconnect the new storage infrastructure with the CEME1 plant to allow integrated operation. The battery supplier is not public at this stage, and Generadora Metropolitana did not immediately respond to questions. In the past, CEME1’s EPC was PowerChina, and JA Solar supplied the solar modules.

However, ESS News can reveal from sources, and with confirmation in legal reporting, that points to Sungrow’s EPC contract for Dune Plus, along with a LTSA. The 406 container units will therefore be Sungrow’s PowerTitan BESS, and possibly the liquid-cooled variant, given their track record in Chile’s large BESS projects already with the company signing over 8 GWh in BESS contracts in Chile.

ESS News contacted Sungrow for comment, but had not received an immediate response.

Financing

In terms of financing, Generadora Metropolitana secured ‘non-recourse project financing’ for the development. The lending consortium includes BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole CIB, MUFG Bank, Société Générale, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. Banco de Crédito e Inversiones (BCI) provided a VAT credit facility. Latham & Watkins LLP acted as legal counsel.

“Dune Plus marks a milestone for Generadora Metropolitana,” said Diego Hollweck, CEO of Generadora Metropolitana. “It has international financial backing that will allow us to consolidate our growth, storage capacity, and leadership in the energy transition in Chile.”