Ingenostrum Announces Plans to Invest US $2 Billion in Chilean Solar Projects

April 4, 2012 - James Williams - pv-tech.org

Spanish solar operator Ingenostrum has revealed plans to construct six solar power plants in Antofagasta, northern Chile, the Latin American Herald Tribune has announced. The power plants could generate up to 688MW of clean energy and the total cost for the development is expected to be around US$1.9 billion.

Environmental impact statements were filed for the six plants by the company’s Chilean unit on April 2 and the reviewing process should be completed by June 28, said the Environmental Review Service.

The most significant project, the Crucero Oeste plant, will be constructed in the Sierra Gorda area of Antofagasta at an estimated cost of US$449 million. The solar plant will produce 160MW of green electricity.

The Domeyko Este and Domeyko 2 projects, which will be located 1,386km north of Chile’s capital Santiago, will provide electricity to northern Chile through connection to the Norte Grande Interconnection System. An environmental review was required for plans to use a new transmission line for the delivery of power. The Domeyko Este and Domeyko 2 projects are expected to cost US$314 million and US$447 million respectively.

Ingenostrum director of strategic planning, Santiago Rodriguez, has announced the company has also been examining the prospect of developing other renewable energy projects in Chile. These include proposed wind farms in Coquimbo and biomass plants in the south, amounting to US$400 million.