- Acciona Energia has commissioned 238 MW solar PV complex in Chile’s Atacama Desert
- It is equipped with 580,000 solar modules and is expected to generate around 654 GWh annually
- Altogether, Acciona Energia now holds an operational renewable energy capacity of 922 MW in Chile, with 5 solar power plants
The renewable energy arm of Spanish energy and infrastructure company Acciona, Acciona Energia has commissioned its 238 MW Malgarida Photovoltaic Complex in Chile for an investment worth $170 million. The complex stands in the commune of Diego de Almagro in Atacama Desert.
The 238 MW PV complex, comprising Malgarida I and II, is equipped with 580,000 solar modules mounted on horizontal trackers. It will generate close to 654 GWh of clean energy annually. Acciona said it has been working on an ‘innovative’ circular economy project in the Chilean commune in collaboration with local authorities, under which 25,000 wooden pallets used to transport the modules will be recycled in the form of furniture as vertical gardens, shelves or facilities for hydroponic cultivation, and the like.
With this project, Acciona said its total operational renewable energy capacity in Chile has grown to 922 MW, comprising 5 solar PV facilities and 3 wind farms.
Among Latin American solar PV markets, Chile has been attracting several investors of late. EDP Renewables entered the Chilean renewable energy market in May 2021 with the acquisition of 628 MW wind and solar power portfolio (see EDPR Forays Into Chilean Renewable Energy Market).
Very recently Mainstream Renewable Energy established Nazca Renovables as its new Chilean hybrid renewable energy platform with over 1 GW capacity (see Mainstream Sets up New RE Platform For Chilean Market).
