Working with POWERCHINA Colombia, GameChange Energy engineers reconfigured tracker tables and repurposed material already on site. The resulting field modifications required no new structural orders or long-lead components. That response illustrates the approach the company took throughout Escobales: adapting the engineering as conditions changed so the EPC could keep building.
Located in Tolima, the 144 MW plant was delivered by POWERCHINA, Colombia, for Celsia and Cubico Sustainable Investments. GameChange Energy supplied the tracker and fixed-tilt systems, backed by in-house geotechnical expertise, logistics coordination, and on-site support.
Irregular terrain and restrictive site boundaries made the mounting-system choice central to the layout. The engineers combined tracking and fixed-tilt structures, selecting the configuration best suited to each part of the site.
Genius Tracker™ single-axis systems in a one-in-portrait (1P) configuration served most of the plant. Tables accommodating one, two, or three strings gave the design team capacity to fit tracker rows within the available boundaries.
In the remaining areas, MaxSpan™ fixed-tilt tables were arranged back-to-back, facing east and west. This denser configuration accommodated more capacity on constrained land, helping the project make effective use of the available footprint.
Initial geotechnical studies indicated that direct pile driving would be feasible across much of the site. However, once construction began, crews encountered scattered boulders and harder-than-expected soil layers. Frequent pile refusal increased the risk of rework.
The in-house geotechnical specialists worked with POWERCHINA, Colombia and the field teams to develop pre-drilling solutions using different bore diameters. Where refusal rates were highest, they introduced alternative foundation details. The recommendations also aimed to minimise concrete use, which was constrained by permitting requirements.
Escobales entered commercial operation in phases between December 2025 and March 2026. The plant is expected to generate approximately 257 GWh of electricity annually.
The project shows where responsive engineering makes a practical difference during construction. At Escobales, it enabled revised foundations to reflect actual ground conditions and a changed layout to use materials already delivered. By staying closely involved with POWERCHINA, the GameChanger team helped turn those decisions into workable solutions in the field and supported the plant’s progress toward commercial operation.
