Grid-forming inverters differ fundamentally from conventional grid-following technology by establishing voltage and frequency references autonomously rather than tracking existing grid conditions. This capability becomes critical as Chile’s National Electricity System transitions toward inverter-based generation, reducing traditional sources of inertia and short-circuit power that historically sustained grid stability. The Atacama region exemplifies this challenge, closing 2025 with 5,609 MWp installed capacity where 74% came from non-conventional renewables and concentrating 25% of Chile’s total solar photovoltaic capacity.
The National Electricity Coordinator’s technical requirements for grid-forming resources mandate autonomy and synchronization, rapid voltage and frequency control, islanded operation capability and oscillation damping. Equipment must maintain stable operation on weak grids and in passive system conditions. The operator formalized this framework starting October 2024 with recommendations for minimum technical requirements, publishing final grid-forming standards in April 2025 and issuing verification guidelines in May 2026 covering pre-connection modeling, laboratory testing, field validation and commercial operation monitoring.
Rodrigo Espinoza, operations manager at the National Electricity Coordinator, stated the experience transfers capabilities previously limited to studies and real-time laboratory simulations into actual field conditions. The operational learning will refine testing procedures and evaluation criteria for grid-forming technology deployment across the National Electricity System.
The technology is advancing beyond Los Loros. Enel Chile began constructing the 100 MW Finis Terrae BESS in Antofagasta region in August incorporating grid-forming capability. Atlas Renewable Energy and Trina Storage are developing the Copiapó PV plus BESS project combining 233 MW solar generation with 932 MWh storage using grid-forming technology, also in Atacama region. These deployments reflect a shift from viewing batteries purely as energy arbitrage assets toward recognizing their role in providing essential grid stability services as renewable penetration increases.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
