The facility is the largest solar PV plant owned by solar independent power producer Sonnedix in the country. Construction of the plant began in June 2019, supported by an investment of over $180 million. It covers 450 hectares and is powered by around 500,000 monosilicon solar panels and 48 central inverters, connecting to the grid through two substations.
The solar plant will produce around 470 Gwh of clean electricity annually, powering more than 200,000 Chilean homes and avoiding around 200,000 tons of CO2.
Sonnedix started operating in Chile in 2015 and has since grown to operate 12 solar PV plants with an operating capacity of 229 MW. The solar IPP has ambitious plans to expand further in the country, with a current portfolio of projects in different development stage, surpassing 700 MW.
“Very few countries in the world have the potential of Chile in solar energy” said Mr Sebastián Piñera, President of Chile. “This project will change the life of people in Chile, for better”. Juan Carlos Jobet, Minister of Energy, and Miguel Ángel Quezada, Tarapacá Governor, also attended the event together with other regional authorities.
Axel Thiemann, CEO of Sonnedix, added that the company’s largest solar plant to date represents the efforts of a purpose-driven team, working relentlessly despite the challenges of 2020, to continue playing a key role in helping Chile meet its renewable power targets, delivering a constant and reliable source of clean electricity to communities, and helping build a bright future for the next generation.
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