Chile could reach 6 GW storage target by early 2027

The Chilean Ministry of Energy reports 2,625 MW of storage in operation, 3,183 MW undergoing testing and 4,268 MW under construction. Another 705 MW has been declared under construction, bringing total storage capacity considered “in execution” to 10,782 MW.

Thirty-two storage systems currently under construction represent 4,268 MW and 17.588 GWh, with associated investment of $3.477 billion. The largest projects include AES Andes’ 340 MW/1,360 MWh BESS at the Pampas Hybrid Park; FRV’s 336 MW/1,344 MWh Tarapacá BESS; Generadora Metropolitana’s 306 MW/1,334 MWh DUNE BESS; and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ 300 MW/1,500 MWh Sandstone BESS IV.

Two new systems began operating in July, totaling 334 MW and 1,190 MWh. They are Atlas’ 188 MW/752 MWh Estepa Solar BESS and AES Andes’ 146 MW/438 MWh Bolero BESS, both in the Antofagasta region. Estepa Solar is paired with a 202 MW solar farm that also began operations during the month.

The pipeline in testing is even larger, with 28 storage systems totaling 3,183 MW and 14.860 GWh. The largest by power capacity is Grenergy’s 430 MW/3,010 MWh Elena Phase I BESS, followed by the 340 MW/1,360 MWh system at AES Andes’ Cristales PV Park and the 300 MW/900 MWh Arenales BESS, also developed by AES Andes.

Storage growth is closely linked to a generation pipeline dominated by solar. Of the 2,302 MW represented by 43 power plants currently under construction, solar accounts for 1,639 MW, or 71%. Solar also represents 54% of investment in new generation under construction, at $1.692 billion. Major developments include Atlas’ 330 MW Copiapó Energía Solar PV and storage project, which includes a 233 MW/932 MWh BESS; the 220 MW solar component of the Pampas Hybrid Project; Grenergy’s 240 MW Monte Águila project; and its 200 MW Algarrobal project.

The same trend is evident among projects undergoing testing. Solar accounts for 1,189 MW, or 71%, of the 1,686 MW reported by the ministry. These projects include the 400 MW Cristales PV Park, which incorporates a 340 MW/1,360 MWh BESS; Grenergy’s 220 MW Gabriela project, with a BESS of the same power rating and 1,100 MWh of storage; and Zelestra Energy’s 187 MW Estela Solar project, with a 187 MW/935 MWh BESS.

The link between solar and storage is also evident in Chile’s environmental assessment pipeline. As of July 31, 84 generation projects totaling 12,608 MW and $18.481 billion in investment were under review through the Environmental Impact Assessment System (SEIA). Solar accounts for 7,853 MW, compared with 4,694 MW of wind capacity. Two of the three generation projects submitted for review in July included storage, while all four projects approved during the month, totaling 198 MW, included storage systems and were predominantly solar.

The pipeline also includes standalone storage projects. Two initiatives totaling 500 MW and 3,800 MWh entered the SEIA in July, with combined investment of $955 million: a 50 MW/200 MWh lithium-ion BESS at the Lucero substation in Ñuble and the 450 MW/3,600 MWh Atacama Renewable Energy Pumped Storage Plant. Overall, 17 standalone storage projects remain under environmental review, totaling 3,810 MW, 21,534 MWh and $4.195 billion in investment.

Separately, the ministry identifies four large green hydrogen projects under environmental review in Antofagasta and Magallanes. Together, they represent $32.9 billion in investment, 9,070 MW of capacity associated with hydrogen production and estimated maximum annual output of 1.369 million metric tons.

The largest is TEC H2 MAG’s H2 Magallanes, with $16 billion in investment, 3,800 MW dedicated to hydrogen production, 5,000 MW of associated generation capacity and maximum annual production of 638,750 metric tons. It is followed by the HNH Energy project, with $11 billion in investment, 3,000 MW for hydrogen production and 1,400 MW of generation capacity. In Antofagasta, the NorQuim complex for methanol production and storage is also under review, with $1.2 billion in investment and 550 MW of hydrogen production capacity.

In July, IB Decarb Dos Alfa’s Acuario Green Ammonia Production Project also entered the environmental review process. Planned for San Gregorio in Magallanes, the project involves $4.7 billion in investment, 1,720 MW of green hydrogen production capacity, 1,730 MW of associated generation and estimated maximum annual hydrogen production of 179,000 metric tons.

From pv magazine LatAm