ACCIONA Energía has announced the construction of a new 1GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Chile’s Atacama Desert, doubling its planned energy storage capacity in the country and reinforcing its position as one of Latin America’s leading developers of large-scale solar-plus-storage projects.
The new facility, which will be integrated into the El Romero photovoltaic plant (246MWp), will have a capacity of 196MW/980MWh and will be capable of supplying 196MW of clean energy continuously for five hours. Commercial operations are expected to begin by the end of 2027.
The project follows the 1GWh battery storage system currently under construction at ACCIONA Energía’s Malgarida solar complex (238MWp), announced at the end of last year. Together, the two projects will provide almost 2GWh of energy storage capacity, creating one of the largest solar-plus-storage portfolios under development in Latin America.
Located in Chile’s Atacama Desert – one of the regions with the highest solar irradiation levels in the world – both storage systems will help optimise renewable energy management, reduce renewable curtailment, improve grid stability and strengthen security of supply within the country’s electricity system. By storing excess solar generation during daylight hours and dispatching it during periods of peak demand, the projects will maximise the value of renewable energy production while supporting the ongoing decarbonisation of Chile’s power sector.
The investment reflects ACCIONA Energía’s long-term commitment to Chile, one of its most important renewable energy markets globally. The company currently operates 922MW of installed capacity in the country, including three wind farms – Punta Palmeras (45MW), San Gabriel (183MW) and Tolpán Sur (84MW) – and four photovoltaic plants: El Romero (246MWp), Malgarida (238MWp), Usya (64MWp) and Almeyda (62MWp).
Chile has become a strategic market for battery storage deployment as growing renewable energy penetration increases demand for flexible generation and grid-balancing solutions. ACCIONA Energía has identified energy storage as a key pillar of its growth strategy in the country, complementing its extensive portfolio of solar and wind assets.
The company’s latest investment also forms part of a broader renewable energy expansion across Latin America. ACCIONA Energía owns and operates a diversified portfolio of solar, wind and hydroelectric assets across the region, including projects in Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. The company continues to invest in technologies that enhance the reliability and competitiveness of renewable energy systems, combining utility-scale generation with advanced storage solutions to accelerate the energy transition.
With nearly 2GWh of battery storage capacity now planned alongside its existing renewable generation fleet, ACCIONA Energía is strengthening its ability to deliver dispatchable clean energy while supporting grid resilience and the integration of increasing volumes of renewable power across Chile and the wider Latin American market.
