Chile wind power storage

How long does energy storage take in Chile?

According to a LinkedIn post by energy consultancy company Blend Energy, the average time of the 3GW portfolio of energy storage is 3.9 hours. On a more positive note, Chile has seen a significant increase in renewables investment with a 231% increase year-over-year.

Why is Chile pursuing energy storage in Antofagasta?

Chilean president Gabriel Boric (centre) at the inauguration of an energy storage plant in the northern region of Antofagasta in April 2024. Chile has strong conditions for wind and solar energy, and is pursuing storage to help overcome intermittent supply (Image: Ximena Navarro / Dirección de Prensa, Presidencia de la República de Chile)

How many energy storage projects are in Chile?

Currently, 36 of the 129 large-scale projects Latin America projects with an energy storage component under development are in Chile, including 32 out of 71 of the region’s early works projects. The storage technologies either in use or being considered include:

Can energy storage help solve a curtailment problem in Chile?

Energy storage, which has become a necessity in Chile for a solar PV project to be financially viable, could help solve the issue of curtailment in the coming years. In 2024, there were 3GW of energy storage capacity operational, in testing or in construction, with 19GW in different stages of evaluation.

What kind of energy does Chile use?

Chile has the potential to run exclusively on renewable generation, with an estimated energy mix of 46% solar, 31% wind, 12% hydroelectric, and 8% flexible natural gas power plants, as well as 23% of battery storage capacity. The remaining 2% is split between biomass, geothermal, and other less common energy sources.

Where are Chile's battery energy storage facilities located?

Chile’s first battery energy storage projects were commissioned in 2009, and all but two of its 16 administrative regions have facilities in operation, under construction or in the planning stage. The greatest installed capacity is found in the northern regions of Antofagasta and Tarapacá, the country’s solar powerhouses.