Spanish developer Zelestra has signed a PPA with Abastible for a solar-plus-storage plant in Tarapacá, Chile, featuring 220MW solar capacity and 1GWh BESS. This project focuses on providing night-time power and reducing carbon emissions. Abastible’s recent agreements emphasize Chile’s growing trend toward integrating solar with battery storage amid energy sector challenges. Future growth in solar PV is anticipated, particularly in Chile and Brazil, though regulatory hurdles for BESS persist.
Zelestra, a Spanish renewables developer, has secured a significant power purchase agreement (PPA) with Abastible for a solar-plus-storage project in the Tarapacá region of Chile. This hybrid facility will feature 220MW of solar capacity and a 1GWh battery energy storage system (BESS), with construction already underway.
Abastible will benefit from the hybrid solution, which aims to provide night-time power and enhance their portfolio of carbon-free energy. This marks Abastible’s second solar-plus-storage PPA recently, following a 15-year agreement with Verano Energy for an 83MW solar PV project, set for operation by late 2026.
Zelestra is actively operating in multiple Latin American countries, including Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, with a development pipeline of 7GW across 56 projects. The firm’s activities signify the growing trend of co-locating solar PV with BESS in Chile, as the country confronts curtailment and transmission challenges.
The Chilean renewable energy sector experienced substantial curtailment, nearly 6TWh in 2024, emphasizing the significance of integrating BESS with solar assets. Alejandro McDonough from Wärtsilä Chile remarked on the co-location necessity due to financial and operational challenges faced by solar assets in the region.
Looking forward, Chile and Brazil are identified as key drivers for future solar PV growth in South America, with Wood Mackenzie projecting 160GW of new capacity by 2034, predominantly from these two countries. However, regulatory uncertainties regarding BESS expansion persist, highlighting the need for improved policies and regulations in Latin America.
Zelestra’s PPA with Abastible represents a significant advancement in Chile’s solar-plus-storage sector, addressing the urgent need for enhanced energy solutions amid ongoing curtailment issues. With an expanding portfolio and projects in development, Zelestra is positioning itself as a key player in Latin America’s renewable energy landscape. However, regulatory challenges remain a critical barrier to the full expansion of battery energy storage systems in the region, necessitating swift attention from policymakers.
Original Source: www.pv-tech.org
