ENERGY STORAGE''S NEXT EVOLUTION IS UNFOLDING IN CHILE
Chile s outdoor energy storage
In 2022, Chile passed an energy storage and electromobility bill, which made stand-alone storage projects profitable, but the market is still expecting new rules on capacity payment for storage projects, which are to be approved in 2024. [pdf]FAQS about Chile s outdoor energy storage
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.
How many energy storage projects are in Chile?
Currently, 36 of the 129 large-scale projects Latin America projects with an energy storage component under development are in Chile, including 32 out of 71 of the region’s early works projects. The storage technologies either in use or being considered include:
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.
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.
How much battery storage capacity does Chile have?
According to data from Acera, the Chilean Renewable Energy Association, there are only 64MW of battery storage capacity currently active, representing 0.2% of national capacity. AES Andes, a subsidiary of U.S. company AES Corp. operates all 64MW at their Angamos and Los Andes substations.
How can Chile keep up with the changing energy demand landscape?
Chile is exploring a variety of solutions to keep abreast of the changing energy demand landscape ranging from BESS to innovative projects using CO2. In March 2024, BESS Coya, the largest battery-based energy storage system in Latin America, started operations.
Prospects for photovoltaic power generation and energy storage in Chile
In this report, we model a long-term outlook for the energy system, as well as an accelerated de-carbonization scenario, to explore how Chile’s power system may adapt to increasing volumes of solar and wind. This report is written by BloombergNEF in partnership with ACCIONA. [pdf]