The South American Andes regional arm of utility and IPP AES has started commercial operations on a project in Chile pairing 211MW of solar and a 130MW/650MWh BESS.

A lack of regulation and policy regarding BESS is challenging the growth of the technology in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) will play an important role in reducing curtailment issues Chile has been facing in 2024, keynote speakers said at the third edition of Solar Media’s Energy Storage Summit Latin America 2024 today.

CIP has reached final investment decision on a 220MW/1,100MWh battery energy system storage in Antofagasta, Chile.

This week Engie Chile has energised the 68MW/418MWh BESS Tamaya project in Antofagasta, while Canadian Solar’s e-STORAGE secured a turnkey EPC contract to supply a 98MW/312MWh DC BESS in Chile.

IPP Grenergy has acquired a 1GW solar PV portfolio and 1GW of energisation lines in Chile which will allow the hybridisation of 6GWh.

IPP Grenergy and EV and BESS firm BYD have extended a supply agreement for the Oasis de Atacama in Chile, which they claim will have the world’s largest BESS, to 3GWh.

AES has seen a hybrid wind, solar and BESS project in Chile receive an environmental permit, while Oenergy has suffered a setback for a standalone project.

Chile utility Colbun has faced a setback with its 800MW pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) project, after its environmental impact assessment (EIA) process was terminated early having been deemed to have not provided enough information.

Investor SUSI Partners will fund the development of a battery energy storage system (BESS) portfolio in Chile, totalling 860MW of power and and up to 3.5GWh of energy storage capacity.