Price of photovoltaic energy storage cabinet in Chile

Operational solar PV projects in Chile are implementing energy storage capacity, with AES Andes reaching COD of a solar-plus-storage project this week. Image: AES Andes.

In 2023, the deployment of photovoltaic parks reached 8.5 GW. The country is committed to increasing installed solar capacity to 22 GW by 2029. CVE's strategy is based on the production of decentralized renewable energies sold through short distribution channels. Chile is a key market for realizing this vision.

In 2022, Colbún SA, the Chile-based investor, submitted an environmental assessment for a 422 MW solar PV plus storage project it plans to build in Chile. The plans include a five-hour, 240 MW battery system, which would be among the largest energy storage installations in the country.

The increasing solar energy demand will likely boost the solar energy capacity across the country over the forecast period. The Chile solar energy market is fragmented. Some key players in this market (in no particular order) include Acciona, S.A, JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd., Trina Solar Limited, Enel Green Power S.p.A, and First Solar, Inc.

Chile has exceptional solar potential and a favorable regulatory framework. In 2023, the deployment of photovoltaic parks reached 8.5 GW. The country is committed to increasing installed solar capacity to 22 GW by 2029. CVE's strategy is based on the production of decentralized renewable energies sold through short distribution channels.

Furthermore, private investments are also steering the market in the country. For example, in 2023, Enel Green Power Chile, a subsidiary of Enel Chile, commenced construction of its new El Manzano solar power park in Tiltil, which will be the company's first large-scale photovoltaic solar power plant in the Metropolitan Region.