Nine projects pairing solar or wind with energy storage submitted environmental impact assessments (EIAs) in Chile last month, totalling well over 2GWh of capacity, by companies including Engie, EDF and Sonnedix.
Where are Chile's battery energy storage facilities located?
Chile's first battery energy storage projects were commissioned in 2009, and all but two of its 16 administrative regions have facilities in operation, under construction or in the planning stage. The greatest installed capacity is found in the northern regions of Antofagasta and Tarapacá, the country's solar powerhouses.
How long does energy storage take in Chile?
According to a LinkedIn post by energy consultancy company Blend Energy, the average time of the 3GW portfolio of energy storage is 3.9 hours. On a more positive note, Chile has seen a significant increase in renewables investment with a 231% increase year-over-year.
Can energy storage help solve a curtailment problem in Chile?
Energy storage, which has become a necessity in Chile for a solar PV project to be financially viable, could help solve the issue of curtailment in the coming years. In 2024, there were 3GW of energy storage capacity operational, in testing or in construction, with 19GW in different stages of evaluation.
Chilean president Gabriel Boric (centre) at the inauguration of an energy storage plant in the northern region of Antofagasta in April 2024. Chile has strong conditions for wind and solar energy, and is pursuing storage to help overcome intermittent supply (Image: Ximena Navarro / Dirección de Prensa, Presidencia de la República de Chile)
Which Chinese companies are building a solar power plant in Chile?
Chinese companies have in recent years built, or announced plans to build, Chile's longest power line, solar plants and wind farms, while in battery storage, solar giant Trina has launched three projects in the country. John Bartlett is a British journalist based in Santiago, Chile, covering economics, politics and culture.
More than half (61%) of all solar PV capacity installed in Chile is in the northern solar hotbed regions of Antofagasta (35%) and Atacama (26%). Chile has curtailed a record 5,909GWh of solar PV and wind power in 2024, up 121% from the previous year, according to trade body ACERA.