Engie Chile has started commercial operations at BESS Lile, a standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) at the Mejillones Energy Complex in the Antofagasta region. The project received authorization from Chile’s National Electricity Coordinator on Sept. 25 and represents an investment of $174 million.
The installation comprises 160 battery containers and 40 electrical support units. According to Engie, it can discharge for up to five hours, supplying an amount of electricity equivalent to the consumption of more than 84,000 households over that period.
BESS Lile is connected directly to Chile’s National Electricity System and stores electricity for dispatch to the grid according to system requirements, supporting the integration of variable renewable generation.
The project reuses existing infrastructure at the Mejillones Energy Complex that was originally intended to expand thermal power generation. Repurposed assets include the interconnection substation, internal areas and access roads.
Engie announced BESS Lile in October 2025 with a planned capacity of 140 MW/802 MWh and commercial operations scheduled for the second half of 2026. The company has now reported a final power capacity of 142 MW.
The commissioning marks the completion of the first stage of the Mejillones Energy Complex’s conversion. Engie disconnected its CTM1 and CTM2 coal-fired units on Dec. 31, 2025, after almost three decades of operation.
Separately, Engie is converting its Infraestructura Energética Mejillones (IEM) facility to use natural gas. The plant is still awaiting authorization to begin commercial operations, according to the company’s latest update.
The broader transition also includes the planned retirement of the coal-fired Central Termoeléctrica Andina (CTA) and Central Termoeléctrica Hornitos (CTH) units as part of Engie’s phased coal exit.
With BESS Lile, Engie says five battery storage systems have entered commercial operation in Chile in 2026, bringing its operational battery capacity in the country to 803 MW.
Other systems commissioned this year include the 116 MW/660 MWh BESS Tocopilla and the 25 MW/150 MWh BESS Arica. Engie also announced the commissioning of BESS Libélula and BESS Los Loros in August, with a combined power capacity of 251 MW and a reported investment of $283 million.
From pv magazine LatAm
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