The facility will include 201 battery containers, each rated at 1.2 MW/4.8 MWh, and 67 inverters of 4.4 MW capacity. Integrated through medium voltage circuits to a new electrical room linked to the existing Inca de Oro substation, the system’s total installed power will reach 228 MW with a daily energy storage capacity of 912 MWh. This capability will enable the capture of daytime solar energy surplus and its release during peak demand periods, boosting renewable integration and stabilizing the national grid. The project also encompasses supporting infrastructure including a modular data center and expanded administrative facilities.
Construction will generate approximately 150 jobs at peak activity, with battery installation and grid connection scheduled for completion by mid-2026, and full commercial operations targeted for December 2026. The BESS deployment aligns with Chile’s transition to a cleaner and more flexible energy matrix, expected to reduce carbon emissions by nearly 600,000 tons CO₂ equivalent between 2026 and 2030. Additionally, Colbún’s project qualifies for international carbon credit mechanisms under the Paris Agreement, potentially attracting foreign investment and reinforcing market mechanisms for emissions trading. This initiative underscores the growing prominence of battery energy storage systems in the Chilean power sector, which currently operates 486 MW of battery capacity with over 2,200 MW in the pipeline, signaling robust private sector momentum in renewable infrastructure development.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
