A solar plant in a Latin American desert is set to shake up the energy game!
Chile has found a new landmark in the northern part of the country. There, in one of the most arid places on the planet, not only captures solar energy, but also stores it to be used when needed most. This could be the beginning of a new energy era in Latin America.
A plant that captures the sun… even after sunset
The newly inaugurated Quillagua photovoltaic plant, located in the Antofagasta region, stands out not only for its installed capacity of 221 megawatts peak (MWp), but also for its impressive storage system: 1.2 gigawatt-hour (GWh) in batteries. This combination allows the plant to deliver up to 200 MW for more than six hours after sunset.
This means that, with this innovative system, a solar plant can guarantee a nighttime supply of clean energy on a large scale. As stated by Contour Global’s global CEO, Antonio Cammisecra, it represents a pride not only for its technological dimension but also for its social and environmental impact: “We bring the energy of the sun at night,” he said during the inauguration.
The storage that stabilizes, balances, and revolutionizes
Beyond producing solar energy, the strategic value of Quillagua lies in its storage capacity. It tackles one of the biggest challenges of clean energy: its intermittency. With the support of its long-duration batteries, the plant can stabilize the grid, avoiding both excess supply during the day and peak demand at night.
For Cammisecra, this is a milestone to strengthen the national energy system: “This project not only helps stabilize the grid but also lays the groundwork for exploring new sources like wind energy.” The vision is clear: Chile does not want to depend on a single technology but rather diversify its energy sources.
A country with potential for much more
Chile, with a population of 19 million and an extreme geography that combines deserts and forests, has the capacity to generate 70 times more electricity than it currently needs. This energy transition, driven especially by solar and wind power, has grown exponentially: in just six years, its participation in the energy matrix has multiplied by ten.
According to official projections, the country expects renewable energies to represent 70% of its matrix by 2030. The Quillagua plant is not only a technical achievement but also a strategic step towards that future.
