Data Insight: Chile’s 10 biggest pre-construction energy projects

Chile’s 10 biggest energy projects in the pre-construction phase have a combined price tag of US$43.5bn, according to information in the BNamericas project database.

All are scheduled to enter the construction phase within three years, although the dates when works will actually begin may differ.

The three largest initiatives by outlay are green ammonia complexes planned for windswept southern region Magallanes, accounting for US$34bn of the total. This figure also encompasses associated components such as wind parks, power lines, storage systems, desalination plants and port infrastructure. 

Meanwhile, the biggest non-hydrogen or non-hydrogen derivative project in the pre-construction phase is the US$1.48bn HVDC transmission line Kimal-Lo Aguirre.

In terms of generation, the four projects that feature in the top 10 are renewables-energy storage hybrids planned for Antofagasta region by generator AES Andes: US$1.38bn Altos del Sol, US$800mn Pampas, US$750mn Terra Energía Renovable and US$710mn Cristales. Three of them have an environmental license. 

A US$1.40bn pumped storage system, Paposo, was suspended by owner Colbún after the environmental review agency SEA ejected it from the system early. Company officials are mulling the next steps, investors were told recently.

Along with a push to fully decarbonize the grid and to trim emissions of the wider economy via greater electrification, Chile is betting on green hydrogen and its derivatives for domestic decarbonization as well as for export. 

The country has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Green hydrogen and derivatives projects are advancing, with several now in the permitting phase, as the focus sharpens on driving down costs and securing offtakers, with European and Asian buyers in the crosshairs of derivatives producers.

Given transmission congestion in Chile’s north, almost all renewable energy projects being considered there have, or will likely have, an associated energy storage system, especially if solar PV.

Chile's top 10 pre-construction phase energy projects

H2 Magallanes
Type: Green ammonia
Owner: TotalEnergies Chile
Capex: US$15.0bn
Region: Magallanes
Construction start: March 2026
Project status: Active
Submitted for environmental review? No

HNH Energy
Type: Green ammonia
Owner: ASOE Chile Diez
Capex: US$11.0bn
Region: Magallanes
Construction start: July 2026
Project status: Active
Submitted for environmental review? Yes

Gente Grande
Type: Green ammonia
Owner: APC-Haura
Capex: US$8.00bn
Region: Magallanes
Construction start: December 2026
Project status: Active
Submitted for environmental review? No

Hoasis
Type: Green ammonia
Owner: TCI Chile
Capex: US$3.0bn
Region: Antofagasta
Construction start: December 2027
Project status: Active
Submitted for environmental review? No

HVDC Kimal-Lo Aguirre
Type: Transmission line
Owner: Chilean energy ministry (Conexión Energía is concessionaire/operator)
Capex: US$1.48bn
Region: Multiple
Construction start: March 25
Project status: Active
Submitted for environmental review? Yes

Paposo
Type: Pumped storage
Owner: Colbún
Capex: US$1.40bn
Region: Antofagasta
Construction start: June 2026
Project status: Suspended
Submitted for environmental review? Yes but later ejected by SEA

Altos del Sol
Type: Solar PV and energy storage
Owner: AES Andes
Capex: US$1.38bn
Region: Antofagasta
Construction start: September 2025
Project status: Active
Submitted for environmental review? Yes

Pampas
Type: Solar PV, wind, energy storage
Owner: AES Andes
Capex: US$800mn
Region: Antofagasta
Construction start: June 2025
Project status: Active
Submitted for environmental review system? Yes, and approved

Terra Energía Renovable
Type: Solar PV, wind, energy storage
Owner: AES Andes
Capex: US$750mn
Region: Antofagasta
Construction start: December 2025
Project status: Active
Submitted for environmental review system? Yes, and approved

Cristales
Type: Solar PV, energy storage
Owner: AES Andes
Capex: US$710mn
Region: Antofagasta
Construction start: December 2024
Project status: Active
Submitted for environmental review: Yes, and approved