The Enel Group, through its renewable subsidiary Enel Green Power Chile, has begun construction of its new solar photovoltaic plant, Campos del Sol. With approximately 382 megawatts of installed capacity, the facility is the largest solar plant currently under construction in Chile. The project, which is located 60 kilometres northeast of Copiapó, in the Atacama Region, will involve a total investment of around 320 million US dollars.
Antonio Cammisecra, Head of Enel Green Power, said: “The start of construction of Campos del Sol marks a major milestone for Enel Green Power in Chile. By breaking ground at the country’s largest solar project, we are reinforcing our commitment to decarbonisation and once again confirming our role in the Chilean energy transition. The project’s sustainability focus, as well as innovative profile, are aimed at maximising shared returns for the Group and its stakeholders, in line with our strategy based on sustainability and innovation as key drivers for value creation.”
One million PV panels
Campos del Sol will start operations by the end of 2020 and is estimated to generate around 1,160 gigawatt hours per year, avoiding carbon emissions of more than 900,000 tons. The facility will include around one million bifacial PV panels, a technology that generates on average 12 per cent more electricity than conventional modules.
This solar project also involves a number of innovative digital features. The Campos del Sol construction site will utilise state-of-the-art machinery guided and controlled by GPS, while an autonomous drone will remotely monitor worksite activities, supporting the plant’s construction process, productivity and efficiency.
Collaborating with indigenous communities
As part of the development process, Enel Green Power Chile started permanent dialogue with five local indigenous Colla communities, including about 100 people, to identify impact mitigation and how this project can generate value for these communities. As a result of this process, a shared plan is ongoing with short, medium and long term projects in line with the communities’ priorities and the company’s sustainability goals, such as sustainable tourism initiatives developed in collaboration with Chilean NGO Fundación Rondó. (mfo)
The videos from the 2019 pv Guided Tours at The smarter E Europe (Intersolar Europe, ees Europe, Power2Drive, EM-Power) in Munich are now online.
For more articles on solar installations, please click here.
Stay informed, subscribe to our twice-weekly newsletter.
