Statkraft has inaugurated three wind farms in the O'Higgins Region of Chile, marking a significant step in the company's renewable energy ambitions in the country.
The new facilities—Cardonal, Manantiales, and Los Cerrillos—have a combined capacity of over 100MW and represent an investment of $148 million. With 19 state-of-the-art turbines, the farms will contribute 330GWh of clean energy annually to the National Electric System, enough to power approximately 100,000 homes.
Ingeborg Dårflot, Statkraft's executive vice president for international operations, emphasized the importance of the wind farms: “As Statkraft's first wind farm in Chile, it's also an important milestone for our activities in the country. It will help meet the region's energy needs in a sustainable way and create positive ripple effects for the local community.”
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Chile's Minister of Energy, Diego Pardow, Regional Minister of Energy Claudio Martínez, and Norway's Ambassador in Chile, Per Anders Nilsen.
Dårflot highlighted Chile's vast potential for wind and solar energy: “Chile has an extraordinary potential in wind and solar energy. Projects like these strengthen our presence and consolidate our long-term plans in the country. We are not only celebrating the opening of a wind farm, but also our collective effort towards a more sustainable future.”
Statkraft, Europe's largest producer of renewable energy, has made South America a key part of its growth strategy. The company plans to expand its renewable energy portfolio in Chile, where it is already involved in hydro, wind, and solar projects at various stages of development.
