Independent power producer (IPP) Sonnedix has successfully initiated operations at its Sonnedix Meseta de los Andes solar plant, a substantial 160MW project situated in central Chile. The construction of this venture, located approximately 50 kilometers north of Santiago, commenced in June 2021 and concluded in April of this year. Supported by a US$120 million investment from the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Sonnedix expects the plant to generate 386,750MWh of clean electricity in its inaugural year of operation.
Sonnedix CEO Axel Thiemann emphasized the company's dedication to becoming a significant participant in Chile's energy transition and worldwide. “The construction of a project like Sonnedix Meseta de los Andes is testament to our strong ambition to become a key player in the energy transition in Chile, and worldwide,” stated Thiemann. “This demonstrates our long-term commitment to the Chilean market, where we set foot eight years ago, and we are now a main actor in its energy transition journey.”
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This project's completion marks another significant milestone for Sonnedix in Chile, as the company currently manages 35 operational projects in the country, boasting a combined installed capacity of 706MW. Notably, Sonnedix's solar farm portfolio in Chile has expanded considerably since the inauguration of its first project, the 0.6MW Pica Pilot, in 2015, leading to the realization of the Meseta de los Andes project this week.
Sonnedix also possesses an additional 1.6GW of solar capacity in various projects within its development pipeline. Furthermore, the company has broadened its reach beyond solar power through the acquisition of IPP Arco last year, which added 115MW of wind capacity to its portfolio. Successfully managing a diverse portfolio of large-scale projects reliant on different forms of power represents a new challenge for Sonnedix's leadership. Nevertheless, executives within the company have expressed optimism regarding the future of Sonnedix.
Carlos Guinand, Sonnedix's executive chairman, expressed his pride in the company's remarkable team and acknowledged the significance of the Arco acquisition, stating, “I feel tremendously proud of our extraordinary team for this important milestone for our company. Since we began in Chile ten years ago, we have been deeply committed to helping the country meet its renewable power targets, playing an active role in the energy transition.”
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While solar production in Chile has experienced steady growth in recent years, the country's energy mix remains heavily reliant on oil. In the period from 2016 to 2021, solar power generation in Chile increased from 7TWh to 28TWh, compared to 203TWh generated from oil in 2021. This development aligns with the recent acquisition of 120MW of solar power in Chile by Blue Elephant, reflecting the growing interest of both domestic and international investors in the sector.
