Solarcentury has been awarded the right to develop three utility-scale solar farms for a total of 1.04 GWp (963 MWac) by the Ministry of National Assets of Chile. In the tender, 11 sites owned by the State of Chile were consented for the development of renewable energy projects. Solarcentury won three, a larger share of sites in number and in size than any other developer.
The projects are all in the North of Chile. The projects will operate without any form of Government subsidy and a rent will be paid to the Government for the use of the land. The combination of altitude and location means the solar resource is unmatched. Yield is expected to reach as much as 3,000 kWh/kWp.
The projects are in the Antofagasta and Tarapacá regions of Chile. Pintados near Pica in Tarapacá will be 314 MWp while Sureste de Calama with 185 MWp and Maria Elena Noreste with a capacity of 537 MWp will be located in Antofagasta region.
By MWac of capacity, these projects represent 37% of the consented projects. The total investment in the projects is expected to be in the range of US$950 million.
