Chile approves 360 MWh battery system for co-located project

erano Energy has secured environmental approval to develop and operate the Catalina del Verano solar-plus-storage project in Rancagua, in Chile’s O’Higgins region, located some 100 kilometers south of Santiago. The facility will combine 41 MW of solar PV with a 360 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) and represents a planned investment of USD 40 million.

The plant is designed to utilize 72 BESS containers, and the configuration implies an average capacity of 5 MWh per container, indicative of a typical containerized design.

101,730 solar modules rated at 620 Wp each. Electricity will be delivered to the National Transmission System through a new B3 line section connected to the 66 kV Tuniche substation, operated by CGE Transmisión S.A.

Chile’s Environmental Assessment Service (SEA) and the National Electric Coordinator approved the project after a technical review, which confirmed its grid connection plan and compliance with safety and quality standards. The BESS is expected to improve energy output management and grid stability, addressing constraints identified in pre-operational studies. These studies highlighted the risk of overloading the 1×66 kV Puente Alta–Tuniche transmission line, which could lead to operational restrictions during peak demand.

The project is scheduled to begin operations in March 2028. Before construction can start, Verano Energy must complete engineering works and obtain a formal construction declaration by August 2026. Execution guarantees will remain in place until three months after commissioning, in line with Chilean energy commission rules, and must be renewed as required during the process.

From pv magazine LATAM.