KKR-owned ContourGlobal has successfully commissioned the 221-megawatt photovoltaic solar plant at Quillagua in northern Chile, equipped with a 1,200MWh battery storage system. The facility, which is capable of delivering 200MW of power for more than six hours after sunset, is set to begin commercial operations in the coming weeks.
The Quillagua solar plant, which also includes a large-scale battery storage component, is the largest of its kind in Latin America, according to the developer. This project is part of a broader strategy to address grid stability and supply-demand challenges in Chile, where the company has made significant inroads into renewable energy.
“We are proud to begin operations at Quillagua months ahead of schedule, bringing the sun’s energy at night, and to share this moment with our partners, the community, and local institutions and authorities,” said Antonio Cammisecra, global chief executive of ContourGlobal. “This is key to stabilising the grid, addressing excess daytime supply and peak demand challenges.”
The project marks a critical step for ContourGlobal in its commitment to Chile’s energy transition. The plant, which will generate up to 1,300GWh annually once fully operational, is set to fulfill a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA).
The Quillagua plant is part of a larger renewable energy initiative that includes the Victor Jara plant in the Tarapacá region, which will have a 231MWp solar capacity and 1.3GWh of battery storage. This project is also ahead of schedule and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2025.
The combined portfolio of these two projects, which were acquired from Grenergy by ContourGlobal in late 2024, will have a total capacity of 452MWp of solar energy and 2.5GWh of battery storage, positioning the company as a key player in Chile’s renewable energy sector.
The construction of the Quillagua plant has created 313 direct jobs and 176 indirect jobs, with workers from six nationalities contributing to the development. The project has also created nearly 20 permanent positions for ongoing operation.
ContourGlobal highlighted Chile’s role as a leader in harnessing solar potential, particularly in the Atacama Desert, and the company’s commitment to developing long-duration energy storage solutions as part of its broader investment strategy in the country.
