El Romero solar plant in the Atacama Desert, property of the Spanish energy company Acciona, has been connected to the county’s Interconnected Central System (SIC). The plant with a power of 246 MW and an investment of US$343m, spread across 280ha area in the municipality of Vallenar, in the north of the country.
With 776.000 solar modules, the plant has been built in a record time, accomplishing the project two months before of the estimated. The project will reduce CO2 emission of approximately 485,000 tons per year, and will generate 505GWh of clean energy per year meeting power needs of 245,000 Chilean households.
This project contributes to the company’s effort to supply 600GWh of renewable power to distribution concession holders in the Central Interconnected System (SIC) from 2018.
Acciona Energía said it will negotiate private purchase and sale contracts for the electricity produced in the other renewables projects currently under construction in Chile.
Recently, the firm won the rights to build Puerto Libertad photovoltaic complex in Sonora following a tender round in Mexico continuing with its renewable energy policy. The company is engaged in the development and management of infrastructure, renewable energy, water and services.