Chile round-up: Approval for 1,409 MWh Black BESS project, Enel Chile begins Azabache BESS build

Chile’s vibrant energy storage market continues to move forward with approvals and construction commencements

In the first instance, the 350 MW / 1,409 MWh Black BESS Transmission Line and Storage Plant project, developed by Inversiones Black Solar, part of the Mack Energy group, has obtained its Environmental Qualification Resolution (RCA) and features 4 hours of storage capacity, in addition to an associated transmission line. The initiative has the support of AG Energía in the environmental field and of Anabática Renovables in engineering, and obtained the RCA after an evaluation process that lasted approximately six months.

The standalone battery energy storage system (BESS), with an estimated investment of $220 million, will be located in the municipality of Camarones in the country’s northernmost region, Arica y Parinacota.

Beyond the core battery system, the approved project infrastructure also includes a proprietary step-up substation (designated as the “Black Step-up Substation”), an associated 220 kV underground transmission line spanning 105 meters, and a direct interconnection to an existing network switchgear and substation to inject the stored power back into the grid.

The infrastructure will be located on a 6.37-hectare site adjacent to the Roncacho substation, with access from a nearby road.

The project envisions a 16-month construction period and a 25-year lifespan. During the construction phase, an average workforce of 72 employees is estimated, with a maximum of 92, while during operation, between 5 and 8 people will be required.

Enel Chile begins construction of Azabache BESS, with 94 MW / 372 MWh of storage in Antofagasta

Enel Green Power Chile announced the start of construction of Azabache BESS, a battery storage system that will be integrated into the renewable energy complex located 10 kilometers from Calama, in the Antofagasta region, with the aim of adding a third technology to the site, where the Azabache solar plant and the Valle de los Vientos wind farm already operate together.

According to the company, the system will have an installed capacity of 94 MW, comprised of 36 MW of wind power and 58 MW of photovoltaic power, and a storage capacity of 372 MWh. Enel stated that the project will allow for the combination of solar and wind power generation and storage at the same site.

The facility joins BESS Las Salinas, also in the Antofagasta region, whose construction began in November 2025. In that case, Enel announced the start of construction of a 205 MW system, integrated into the Las Salinas hybrid park.

Regarding the new battery system, the company explained that its function will be to shift the renewable energy production curve and allow for energy delivery during the hours when the electrical grid requires it. Enel added that, with the addition of storage, the complex will be able to generate power for practically the entire day, with solar energy coming in between midday and the afternoon and with a greater contribution from wind power in the later hours, when wind intensity increases.

New Minister for Energy offers positive comments

Also in recent weeks, the new Minister for Energy in Chile, Ximena Rincón, made positive comments for the energy storage and renewables industry at Chile’s Re+ Cono sur conference.

The Minister recalled her early support for the net billing law and stressed the need to “stop relying on fossil fuels.”

“Chile is committed to renewable energies and storage. Chile is committed to promoting energy efficiency. Chile is committed to having electricity in our transport and to thinking and planning long-term. Only then will we be able to take advantage not only of our natural resources, but also the intelligence, disposition, and preparation of men and women in our country,” she said.

Rincón noted that in 2012, skeptics deemed it “impossible” to mandate that power companies meet a 5% non-conventional renewable energy quota.

“Today, we are pioneers in renewable energy in Latin America. Today, the challenge is how to avoid losing that renewable energy, so there is no curtailment; there is a full push for storage and batteries.”

Minister Rincón finally stated that the development of renewable energies requires progress in enabling infrastructure, particularly in storage and transmission systems.

The words were “very well received by the representatives of the sector present at the event,” noted pv magazine‘s Luis Ini.

From pv magazine LatAm: Black BESS project, Enel Chile builds Azabache BESS