Data Insight: Chile’s 5 biggest energy storage systems under construction

Chile has surpassed an energy ministry goal of having 2GW of energy storage capacity built or in the construction phase by the end of 2024.

Based on capex associated with early-stage projects, that figure is poised to keep swelling. 

According to the BNamericas project database, around 60 projects for a total of US$13bn were in the environmental review phase this quarter, a sum corresponding to both standalone systems and renewables-storage hybrids. 

As of October, nine storage systems were under construction. 

Overall, in November, 764MW/2,860MWh of storage capacity – all battery – was operating, 296MW/1,090MWh was in the testing phase and 1.99GW/7,920MWh was in the construction phase, according to data from local renewables and storage chamber Acera.

By the end of this month, 1.13GW should be online, with average duration of 3.88 hours, according to a citizen report published this half by national energy commission CNE.

Next year, the figure should climb to 2.21GW, with an average injection duration of 4.25 hours. And by the end of 2026, some 2.25GW of storage capacity with equivalent duration of 4.25 hours is expected to be in operation, it adds.

This will help fine-tune optimal configurations beyond 2026, when longer-duration systems – typically those that can inject for longer than around five hours – will be needed to help further decarbonize nighttime consumption.

Energy storage drivers in Chile include curtailment and attractive differences between daytime and nighttime injection prices, along with industrial demand for clean power around the clock. A role is also seen for storage in the ancillary services and transmission segments. 

A risk seen by the industry is that the market becomes flooded, creating distortions.

The bulk of storage systems are being built in Antofagasta region, all using lithium-ion technology.

According to Acera data, 5.71GW of storage systems hold an environmental license and some 9.32GW are in the environmental review phase. 

BNamericas looks at the latest update from CNE, a snapshot of the state of play in October, and lists the five biggest energy storage systems (by net capacity) being built that month. 

Project: Víctor Jara (part of Oasis de Atacama)
Owner: Grenergy
Capex: US$225mn (estimate based on similar projects)
Storage capacity: 200MW/1,000MWh
Region: Tarapacá
Estimated interconnection date: October 2025

Project: BESS del Desierto
Owner: Atlas Renewable Energy
Capex: US$121mn
Capacity: 200MW/800MWh
Region: Antofagasta
Estimated interconnection date: January 2025

Project: Andes III – Stage 1
Owner: AES Andes
Capex: US$250mn (estimate based on similar projects)
Storage capacity: 171MW/514MWh
Region: Antofagasta
Estimated interconnection date: May 2025

Project: BESS Tocopilla
Owner: Engie
Capex: US$180mn
Capacity: 116MW/580MWh
Region: Antofagasta
Estimated interconnection date: June 2025

Project: BESS Quillagua I (part of Oasis de Atacama)
Owner: Grenergy
Capex: U$200mn (estimate based on similar projects)
Capacity: 95MW/586MWh
Region: Antofagasta
Estimated interconnection date: January 2025