en.Wedoany.com Reported - Energética Solar Cabildo SpA, a subsidiary of ID Energy Group, has submitted the Environmental Impact Declaration (DIA) for the Cabildo solar photovoltaic plant project to Chile's Environmental Assessment Service (SEA). Located in the Valparaíso Region (Región de Valparaíso), the project involves a $10 million investment to build a 10.8 MW solar photovoltaic plant with an integrated battery energy storage system.
The photovoltaic field is designed to install 14,970 polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic modules on east-west single-axis solar tracking mounts. The generated electricity will be stored in a lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS), comprising 16 battery containers and 7 power conversion systems (PCS), enabling delayed injection of stored energy into the National Electric System (SEN) during peak pricing hours.
To connect to the public distribution grid, the project plans to construct a new 23 kV medium-voltage line connecting to the existing "Alicahue" feeder. The overhead section spans 1,538.28 meters, supported by 41 concrete poles, with 15-meter poles used to cross the La Ligua River; an additional 86.33 meters of underground cable will reach the point of connection (POC), with the entire route laid along public road rights-of-way.
The plant will be built on the La Viña plot (property registration No. SII N°202-395) in the La Vega area of Cabildo Commune (Comuna de Cabildo), Petorca Province (Provincia de Petorca), accessible via the E-411 and E-445 highways and the Chai Chai trail (S/R-E-1511). The site was selected considering the central region's abundant solar radiation, proximity to existing distribution infrastructure, and land-use compatibility with energy facilities. The project covers a total area of 21.62 hectares, requiring vegetation clearing of 20.05 hectares, including abandoned (14.16 hectares) and still-productive (5.89 hectares) avocado (Persea americana) agricultural plantations and low-coverage natural scrubland.
According to the schedule submitted to the Environmental Assessment Service, plant construction will begin in January 2028, with a 6-month construction period concluding in June 2028, employing an average of 30 workers during construction and peaking at 60. Energization testing and commercial operation are planned to commence in July 2028. The project is designed for a 35-year operational lifespan (36-year total life, through July 2063), with remote plant operation and 4 to 6 on-site workers responsible for maintenance and semi-annual cleaning of photovoltaic modules. The closure and decommissioning phase will take place between August 2063 and January 2064, employing up to 40 workers.
The project owner assesses that the works will not generate significant environmental impacts as described in Article 11 of Chile's Law No. 19,300. Implementation requires several sectoral environmental permits (PAS), including PAS 138 (dedicated sewage system with septic tank and leachate drainage pipes), PAS 140 (non-hazardous solid waste management), PAS 142 (storage warehouse for hazardous waste and damaged components), PAS 157 (natural watercourse works), and PAS 160 (rural land construction). Voluntary environmental commitments include prioritizing local hiring from Cabildo Commune, implementing a controlled disturbance plan for native reptiles prior to topsoil stripping, continuous archaeological monitoring during earthworks, application of dust suppressants on internal roads, installation of acoustic barriers near sensitive receptor work areas, and final soil morphology restoration at the end of the plant's lifespan.
