Enel and Engie Advance Large-Scale Battery Storage Projects in Northern Chile to Enhance Renewable Integration

Enel Green Power Chile has launched construction of the Azabache BESS, a 94 MW / 372 MWh battery system located near Calama, Antofagasta. This project complements the existing hybrid renewable complex that integrates the 60 MW Azabache solar plant and the 90 MW Valle de los Vientos wind farm on-site. Azabache BESS’s 372 MWh capacity allows for power delivery across the day, shifting solar generation to peak demand hours and leveraging increased wind energy during later hours. The system’s 94 MW capacity divides into 58 MW for solar and 36 MW for wind, providing an annual storage output of approximately 136 GWh, equivalent to 10% of the Pangue hydroelectric reservoir volume. The project aligns with Enel’s strategy to couple generation and storage on one site to enhance renewable dispatchability and reduce reliance on thermal generation. Additionally, Enel continues work on BESS Las Salinas, a 205 MW facility also in Antofagasta.

Engie Chile is advancing several battery storage projects, notably BESS Kallpa, a 57 MW / 285 MWh system adjacent to its 344 MW Kallpa wind farm near Taltal. Construction progress reached 44% by early 2026, targeting commercial startup in the second half of the year. The facility’s five-hour storage autonomy corresponds to powering roughly 34,000 homes, designed to stabilize intermittent wind generation and enhance grid security. Engie also develops other storage projects such as BESS Arica (34 MW / 170 MWh), which is currently in battery installation phase with operation expected in the second half of 2026. This standalone project connects directly to the Arica substation, improving supply reliability in the northern region. Across Chile, Engie manages an aggregated BESS capacity exceeding 267 MW, adopting lithium-ion technology and recycling existing infrastructure to optimize project efficiency and environmental impact.

These combined efforts by top energy players signal Chile’s robust commitment to decarbonization through renewable integration backed by substantial energy storage deployments, critical for meeting rising electricity demand and enhancing system resilience.