Copec and Transelec close agreement to promote solar farm project with BESS energy storage system

Automatic translation of the original release issued in Spanish

PRESS RELEASE from Copec and Transelec
July 2024

Santiago; July 2024- Copec and Transelec announced an agreement to develop their first large-scale storage system in the “ Granja Solar ” photovoltaic park, located in the Tarapacá region. This system will allow each year to store and inject into the National Electric System (SEN) energy equivalent to the electrical consumption of more than 60 thousand homes.

In April of this year, Copec acquired the Granja Solar photovoltaic park, with a generation capacity of 123 MWp of renewable energy, with the aim of complementing with distributed generation of solar energy, the offer of Copec Emoac, a subsidiary specialized in energy commercialization. renewables, storage and energy efficiency. Added to this is now a battery system with a storage capacity of 420 MWh and an injection power of 105 MW, which will be operated by the country's main transmission company, Transelec.

This system will initially be integrated into the Granja Solar substation through a 33 kV transmission line. It will then use an existing 220 kV line to the Lagunas substation, owned by Transelec, ensuring efficient integration with the SEN.

The project is carried out under a long-term BOOT type contract, being pioneers in Chile in using this model, which implies that during the 20-year duration of the contract, Transelec will be in charge of the operation and management of the storage system, guaranteeing its optimal functioning and its contribution to the national energy supply, and after the term has expired, transfer the asset to Copec.

Specifically, it is a BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) battery system designed to store the energy generated by the solar park during the day and then inject it into the system at night. This will transform the park into a Renewable Power Plant with Storage Capacity, being one of the first projects of this magnitude and type in Chile.

Arturo Natho, general manager of Copec, highlighted that "this innovation will allow us to optimize the use of renewable energy, ensuring a stable and continuous supply that immediately addresses the current challenges of our energy matrix." He added that "this project reaffirms our commitment to Chile, which we materialize in the constant expansion of our energy services portfolio, allowing us to satisfy the needs of our clients and efficiently accompany them in their energy transition processes."

Arturo Le Blanc, general manager of Transelec, added that “Transelec will play a crucial role in assuming responsibility for building, managing and operating the new Granja Solar energy storage infrastructure, thus contributing to a more sustainable Chile, from the world of energy. In addition, this agreement marks our company's first storage contract, reinforcing the business diversification that we are promoting, along with water infrastructure, in addition to transmission."

Copec Emoac , the subsidiary in charge of marketing the energy generated by Granja Solar, will also be responsible for the sale of the stored energy once the project comes into operation during the first quarter of 2026. This milestone will mark significant progress in the expansion of renewable and efficient energies in the country.