Major 2.6 GWh battery submitted for approval in northern Chile

The 400 MW/ 2,640 MWh battery storage project has entered the environmental review process in Chile’s Atacama region. The Delva Substation, Transmission and Storage Project will be located in the province of Huasco, across the municipalities of Vallenar and Freirina, spanning 55.24 hectares.

The development includes the construction of a step-up substation to raise voltage from 33 kV to 500 kV, as well as a 2 × 500 kV high-voltage transmission line. Initially, one circuit will be installed over an approximate length of 5.4 kilometres to connect the facility to the Nueva Maitencillo substation of the National Electric System (SEN).

Although the substation is technically designed to handle up to 1,500 MW, the project’s operational scope is limited to the BESS system and its declared injection capacity.

The batteries will charge using surplus energy from the SEN during periods of high availability – particularly when variable renewable generation is abundant – and discharge during peak demand or when solar and wind resources are limited. The project does not involve new power generation; rather, it focuses on energy storage and controlled reinjection to reduce renewable curtailment and enhance system flexibility.

The estimated investment is $600 million. Construction is scheduled to begin on January 18, 2027, and the project is expected to operate for 20 years.

At peak construction, the workforce is expected to reach 452 workers, while 24 permanent staff will be required during the operational phase.

From pv magazine LatAm