Is Chile ready for a standalone energy storage project?

This project alone nears the capacity (13GWh) the Chilean Ministry of Energy sought in a public land bidding auction for standalone energy storage projects in May of 2024. Chile has been one of the countries at the forefront of the renewable energy transition in Latin America, first with solar PV and now with BESS.

Why is energy storage important in Chile?

Image: Grenergy Grid constraints have prevented Chile from maximising the potential of its world-class solar resources. Energy storage has, therefore, become a necessity to ensure the financial viability of PV projects, writes Jonathan Tourino Jacobo.

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.

Will Chile support the energy transition?

A spokesperson for Engie Group told Dialogue Earth that Chile is seen as one of its strategic countries for supporting the energy transition, which “entails the investment of USD 1.8 billion by 2027. Our plan in Chile considers incorporating 1.4 GW to reach 2 GW of installed capacity in clean energy, including 2 GWh in storage systems”.

Why is Chile pursuing energy storage in Antofagasta?

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)

Does Engie Chile have a lithium-ion battery storage system?

Engie Chile, meanwhile, has two lithium-ion battery storage systems in operation, with a total capacity of 141 MW. At the beginning of next year, the company will inaugurate a 264 megawatt-hour, 96-battery facility, taking its total BESS portfolio in Chile to 371 MW.