Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 11, KKR-owned ContourGlobal has launched a 221MWp solar photovoltaic plant paired with a 1200MWh battery storage system in Chile, capable of supplying 200MW for over six hours after sunset. This milestone signals the project’s readiness to begin commercial operations in the coming weeks, fulfilling a long-term power purchase agreement.

The Quillagua project, located in the Atacama Desert, stands as Latin America’s largest solar facility combined with battery storage, according to the developer. It plays a vital role in balancing the energy grid by managing excess daytime supply and meeting peak demand.

Antonio Cammisecra, global chief executive of ContourGlobal, stated: “We are proud to begin operations at Quillagua months ahead of schedule, bringing the sun’s energy at night, and to share this moment with our partners, the community, and local institutions and authorities. This is key to stabilising the grid, addressing excess daytime supply and peak demand challenges. We are deeply committed to this country, and, beyond storage, we are also exploring opportunities in wind power, diversifying our technological approach to meet the dynamic energy needs of Chile.”

The Quillagua facility forms part of a broader initiative in Chile’s Tarapacá region. A second project, the Victor Jara plant, features 231MWp of solar energy and 1.3GWh of battery storage. It is expected to be completed in the second half of 2025, also ahead of schedule. Together, these projects represent a combined capacity of 452MWp solar and 2.5GWh of storage, acquired by ContourGlobal from Grenergy late last year. This acquisition marked ContourGlobal’s entry into Chile’s renewable energy sector.

Once fully operational, the two facilities are projected to produce approximately 1,300GWh of clean energy annually, establishing ContourGlobal as a significant contributor to Chile’s renewable energy landscape. The company expressed its commitment to further investments in the country, highlighting Chile’s leadership in utilizing solar resources and advancing energy storage systems.

The Quillagua project has also delivered economic benefits, creating 313 direct jobs involving workers from six countries and 176 indirect jobs during construction. The installation included over 452,000 solar panels, 5,000 solar trackers, 267 battery storage modules, 44 transformation centers, and 90 inverters. Nearly 20 permanent jobs will support the facility’s ongoing operations.

These developments underscore Chile’s growing expertise in harnessing solar energy and deploying advanced battery storage to ensure reliable, long-duration energy supply, reinforcing its position as a leader in renewable energy innovation.