As part of its growth plan based on renewable energies, Colbún submitted to the Environmental Evaluation Service of the Arica and Parinacota Region the Environmental Impact Study (EIA) for the Celda Solar Photovoltaic Park project, an initiative located in the Pampa de Camarones sector, in the municipality of Camarones.

The park considers a total maximum installed capacity of 421.9 MW -through more than 700 thousand bifacial photovoltaic panels that capture energy on both sides- and additionally a battery system of 240 MW for 5 hours, making it one of the largest storage projects at national level.  

With an average annual generation of 1,100 GWh, Celda Solar will be equivalent to the consumption of about 345,000 homes. In addition, the operation of this solar plant will prevent the emission of more than 430 tons of CO2 per year, which represents the withdrawal of around 115,000 cars from circulation annually.

"This initiative reflects Colbún's conviction to continue advancing in the implementation of the necessary investments to advance in the energy transition. In addition, the batteries that come with this project will contribute to the creation of a safer and more resilient electricity system," said Colbún CEO José Ignacio Escobar.

Celda Solar is Colbún's first generation project in the Arica and Parinacota Region and will be located on a site of approximately 960 hectares, which is part of a reserve of public land established by the State of Chile for the development of renewable energy generation projects in the municipality of Camarones. 

The energy generated by the park will be injected into the National Electric System through the Roncacho substation.

Early outreach to the community

The development of this project has included during the first half of this year an early approach with local and regional authorities, as well as NGOs and members of the nearby communities, in order to inform about the main characteristics and attributes of the work, allowing to gather local perception and opportunities for collaboration. 

Celda Solar thus joins other renewable energy projects promoted by Colbún throughout the country. Among the initiatives already in operation are the photovoltaic parks Diego de Almagro Sur (230 MW, Diego de Almagro commune), Machicura (9 MW, Colbún) and Ovejería (9 MW, Tiltil). "Horizonte" wind farm (812 MW, Taltal) and "Diego de Almagro Sur" battery project (8 MW/32 MWh, Diego de Almagro) are in the construction stage; Inti Pacha" (486 MW, María Elena) and "Jardín Solar" (537 MW, Pozo Almonte) are environmentally approved, and "Junquillos" wind project (360 MW, Mulchén) is about to enter environmental evaluation. All these initiatives are part of a plan that aims to build close to 4,000 MW in renewable energies by the end of the decade.