Chile has taken an important step towards decarbonizing its energy matrix with the inauguration of the Canadian company’s first battery factory Innergex, which is in addition to its photovoltaic solar park in Salvador, in the Atacama region.

It is now the Emeraude project which required an investment of 75 million dollars and which has a production capacity of 50 MW and a storage capacity of 250 MWh.

What is the Emerald Project?

The project consists of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), consisting of 116 battery containers occupying an area of ​​1.74 hectares. The system is connected to the National Electric System (SEN) via the Salvador electrical substation, which also belongs to Innergex.

The objective of the system is store solar energy produced by the photovoltaic park during peak radiation hours and release it as necessary, to balance electrical supply and demand and improve system stability and reliability.

The Emerald project is Innergex’s largest battery energy storage project to date and the first in Chile, where it has been operating since 2018. The Canadian company is one of the world leaders in the energy sector renewable, with a presence in Canada, the United States and France. and Chile. In this country there are four hydroelectric power plants and two photovoltaic solar power plants, which totals an installed capacity of 357 MW.

Inauguration of the first battery factory

The inauguration of the project took place in the presence of the Minister of Energy, Diego Pardow, who stressed that this initiative aligns with the government’s challenges. promote renewable energies and their storage, as part of the country’s energy transition.

Chile proposed reaching carbon neutrality by 2050, which involves ending dependence on fossil fuels and increasing the participation of clean sources in its energy matrix.

Also present were the regional governor, Miguel Vargas, the Canadian ambassador to Chile, Ian Burchett, as well as the president and CEO of Innergex, Michel Letellier. The latter expressed his pride in participating in this project and declared that Chile has incredible potential for the development of battery energy storage systems. Likewise, he stressed that his company is committed to the deployment of these clean technologies and that it hopes to continue contributing to the sustainable development of the country.

The Emeraude project is part of the storage law which came into force in November 2022, which recognizes the fundamental role that battery systems will play in supporting for the variability associated with the massive integration of renewable energies in the country.

This law establishes incentives for the development and installation of these systems, as well as technical and regulatory standards for their operation. It thus seeks to facilitate the transition to a more flexible, resilient and efficient electricity system.