Chile

Ardian Infrastructure acquires four solar photovoltaic plants in Chile and Peru from Solarpack

September 30, 2016

Ardian Infrastructure today announced it has acquired an 81% stake in four Solarpack solar PV plants in South America. Three of the plants are in the north of Chile and one is in the south of Peru. Solarpack will continue to handle the plants’ operations, maintenance and day-to-day asset management to maximize the financial return […]

Solar takes at least 6% of Chile’s largest power auction with record low tariffs

August 25, 2016

In an auction without subsidies, solar developers have won 720 GWh of capacity in Chile’s largest-ever power auction. Endesa won about 47% of the tender with an offer not tied to specific projects, while Accion Energia said it will build 183 MW wind facility at La Arauncía. Although wind power dominated the auction, taking 5.8GWh […]

Irish renewable energy firm lands $1.65bn contract in Chile

August 19, 2016

An Irish renewable energy firm, Mainstream Renewable Power (MRP), recently beat out 83 competitors to build seven wind power plants in Chile. The US$1.65 billion project will provide a total 12,000 GWh of electricity under a 20-year operating agreement. MRP has notable experience in the renewables field, having produced more than 2,000 MW across more […]

Green climate fund approves loan for 143 MW solar project in Chile

July 22, 2016

The South Korea-based Green Climate Fund approved a loan for a large-scale PV project in Northern Chile. The site will have an initial capacity of 143 MW, though future expansion could put total capacity at 250MW. Project implementation will be done by Sonnedix, a US-based company. While Chile’s government has taken measures to attract renewable […]

IIC helps finance 54-MW solar project in Chile

June 27, 2016

More financing will help Chile continue its ascent as a Latin American leader in renewable energy. An A-loan of USD 19.7 million (EUR 17.9m) has been issued by the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC), and guaranteed by the Inter-American Development Bank, for the 54 MW Los Loros solar PV project in the Atacama Desert. The IIC […]

Solar power over-produced in Chile

June 4, 2016

Solar capacity on Chile’s central power grid has quadrupled to 770 MG over the last three years. This rapid increase has led to the decrease of electricity costs for consumers. Chile currently has 29 solar farms online and 15 more in the pipeline. Some regions are in fact oversupplied with power and the Chilean utility, […]

155 MW of wind approved in Chile despite violation of indigenous rights

March 24, 2016

The Temucuicui Mapuche community of Chile announced its strong opposition to a 155 MW wind farm. The group said that the farm constitutes “plundering, attack and usurpation” of ancestral territory. The community’s announcement was released after Chile’s Environmental Evaluation Service fave the go-ahead for the wind farm to be built on this territory. The Temucuicui community […]

Chile approves 600+ MW of renewable energy

March 14, 2016

The Chilean government approved the construction of a 600 MW PV system and a number of smaller systems this week. Approved projects include: Project (technology) Capacity Investment Cielos de Tarapaca (PV) 600 MW USD 1bn Planta Fotovoltaica La Esperanza (PV) 9 MW USD 18m Planta Fotovoltaica Marchigue (PV) 9 MW USD 18m Mini Central Hidroelectrica […]

Chile goes big on solar

January 20, 2016

At 200 meters tall and with over 10,600 mirrors, Atacama 1 is expected to be the largest solar plant running on a single tower in the world. The plant is expected to generate 110 megawatts 24/7. Chile is already well-known for renewable energy initiatives and the tower is hoped to be its  newest triumph in solar PV. Business […]