Engie secures approval to launch 181.25 MWac solar PV project in Chile

Engie Energía Chile, a subsidiary of French energy company Engie, has secured approval to begin commercial operation for Coya Solar Farm located in a desert area of the commune of Maria Elena in Antofagasta region, Chile. The 181.25 MW solar photovoltaic farm features over 369,400 bifacial solar panels that will be cleaned by robotic devices without using water. The facility was commissioned in late 2022 and is now the largest renewable energy plant in Engie Chile's portfolio, capable of powering around 73,000 households.

Coya Solar Farm's electricity output will be stored in a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of 638 MWh. The BESS stores the renewable energy from the solar plant and allows this energy to be supplied for five hours every day, which translates into a delivery of 200 GWh on average per year. This also allows around 100,000 homes to be supplied with clean energy. It avoids emissions totalling 65,642 tonnes of CO2 per year, which is equivalent to removing around 22,000 internal combustion vehicles from circulation.

This new solar farm marks a significant milestone in the development of renewable energy in Chile and is a clear indication of the country's growing commitment to renewable energy.