Chile's Atacama Desert is becoming a hub for energy storage for solar power plants
Chile's Atacama Desert is becoming one of the world's largest energy storage hubs thanks to the development of large-scale battery systems for solar power generation.
According to Bloomberg, a new project by ContourGlobal has been launched in the region, described as the largest battery system with the longest runtime in Latin America.
The new system is capable of providing 200 megawatts of power for 6.5 hours after sunset.
The project is being implemented under a 15-year agreement with Copec EMOAC, a renewable energy supplier.
A distinctive feature of the Atacama Desert is its exceptionally high level of solar generation. In northern Chile, daytime electricity production often exceeds demand, leading to grid constraints.
To address this issue, the country is actively developing BESS energy storage systems, which allow for the accumulation of excess electricity during the day and its use at night.
The new Victor Jara complex in the Tarapacá region is ContourGlobal’s second project in the field of solar energy and energy storage in Chile.
According to the power grid operator CEN, BESS systems with a total capacity of over 3,000 megawatts are already in operation or undergoing testing in the country.
By the end of the year, Chile plans to commission an additional 5,400 megawatts of capacity, making the country one of the most dynamic markets for energy storage systems in the world.
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