Chile continues to expand both solar generation and battery energy storage. As of the end of June 2026, the country had 33 battery storage projects under construction totaling 4,705 MW/19,223 MWh, according to the latest report by the Ministry of Energy.
The battery portfolio represents investments of $3.863 billion. At the same time, 45 power generation projects totaling 2,624 MW are under construction, with solar accounting for 2,051 MW, or 78%, of that capacity. Investment in new solar plants totals $2.206 billion, representing 61% of all capital currently committed to generation projects under construction.
In addition to projects under construction, Chile has 27 battery storage systems in the testing phase totaling 2,524 MW/11,773 MWh.
The largest is Grenergy’s BESS Elena Phase I in María Elena, Antofagasta region, with 430 MW/3,010 MWh. It is followed by AES Andes’ BESS Arenales (300 MW/900 MWh), Colbún’s BESS Chaca (228 MW/912 MWh), and the storage system paired with the Gabriela solar plant (220 MW/1,100 MWh).
Other projects in testing include Engie’s BESS Libélula (199 MW/960 MWh), Atlas Renewable Energy’s Estepa Solar (188 MW/752 MWh), and AES Andes’ BESS Bolero (146 MW/438 MWh).
The report says Chile has 2,291 MW of operational battery storage, meaning it has achieved 35% of its target to install 6 GW of storage capacity by 2030. The Ministry of Energy said that goal could be reached ahead of schedule as projects currently under construction and testing enter service.
During June, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners commissioned the 220 MW/1,100 MWh Arena BESS project in Taltal, Antofagasta region.
Hybrid pipeline
Among the largest hybrid projects under construction is AES Chile’s Cristales project in Antofagasta, combining a 400 MW solar plant with a 340 MW/1,360 MWh battery storage system. The report indicates grid connection is expected this month.
AES Andes is also building the Pampas hybrid project, which combines 220 MW of solar, 128 MW of wind, and a 340 MW/1,360 MWh battery system, with commissioning also scheduled for July.
In the Atacama region, Atlas is constructing the Copiapó Energía Solar project, comprising 330 MW of solar generation and a 233 MW/932 MWh battery system. Both components are expected to connect to the grid in August 2026.
Other major projects include Verano Energy’s Luna de Verano, which combines 82 MW of solar with a 300 MW/600 MWh battery system in Vallenar, with the battery scheduled for grid connection in September. The construction pipeline also includes Enel’s 200 MW/800 MWh BESS Las Salinas, Toesca Infraestructura’s 141 MW/423 MWh BESS Luz del Norte, and AES Andes’ 150 MW/600 MWh Atacama II.
The report also identifies 41 generation projects in the testing phase totaling 1,507 MW. Solar accounts for 1,010 MW, or 67%, while wind contributes 471 MW.
The largest solar project in testing is Grenergy’s 220 MW Gabriela plant in Sierra Gorda. It is followed by Atlas’ 202 MW Estepa Solar project in María Elena, Zelestra’s 187 MW Aurora Solar project in Pozo Almonte, and Engie’s 147 MW Libélula project in the Metropolitan Region.
Also in testing are Opdenergy’s 90 MW Alcones solar park in the O’Higgins region and several smaller distributed solar generation projects across the country.
During June, five new solar plants totaling 31 MW entered commercial operation. These include the Los Naranjos, Peumo, and Raulí solar parks in the Ñuble region, the 3 MW Cetus distributed generation project in O’Higgins, and the 3 MW Los Eucaliptos project in the Araucanía region.
Solar permitting
As of June 30, Chile’s Environmental Impact Assessment System (SEIA) included 87 generation projects under environmental review totaling 12,620 MW and representing planned investments of $18.697 billion. Solar accounts for approximately 7.6 GW of that capacity, ahead of wind.
During June, environmental authorities approved 14 generation projects totaling 501 MW and representing investments of $828 million. About 71% of those projects include a battery storage component.
Among the largest approved projects are Engie’s 149 MW Los Portones wind farm, the 120 MW El Coipo Solar project, the 90 MW Volcán Chascón solar project, and the 70 MW Lolol solar plant.
The SEIA is also reviewing 17 standalone battery storage projects totaling 3,550 MW/19,024 MWh, representing planned investments of $3.528 billion. During June, authorities approved two of those projects: the 95 MW/340 MWh BESS Lucero in the Ñuble region and the 200 MW/800 MWh Águila Andina project in the Atacama region.
From pv magazine LatAm
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