ACCIONA Energía, the renewable subsidiary of large ACCIONA Group, will build a large 1GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at its Malgarida photovoltaic complex. This project will be conducted in Chile’s Atacama Desert. This ambitious project is changing the way we manage and dispatch solar energy. Most importantly, it aims at the value of power created by PV plants in the region. McKinsey’s Malgarida BESS project will go live by early 2027. This project marks an important milestone for ACCIONA Energía in its efforts to maximize clean energy in Chile.
The BESS will connect with ACCIONA Energía’s current and future PV plants, enabling renewable energy that can be stored and distributed efficiently. This system is capable of providing 200MW for up to five hours. It will help the company deliver more of the clean daytime energy gas-fired plants will use when the sun is no longer shining. The initiative aligns with ACCIONA’s broader strategy to maximize the potential of Chile’s abundant solar resources while better matching energy supply with demand.
Details of the Malgarida Project
The Malgarida PV plant has a capacity of 238MW. It too, will be instrumental in the success of the BESS project. ACCIONA Energía connects its battery storage system to PV plants. This enables them to produce and store low-cost energy created during the day, delivering it when demand is at its highest. This capability is key in places like Atacama. Here, solar generation flourishes during the day, often overproducing for the hourly demand.
ACCIONA Energía is not just developing the Malgarida project, but advancing significantly with three additional BESS projects in Chile. Combined, these projects will deliver 1.5GWh of energy storage capacity. The company focuses on improving battery storage technology. This strategy lets them save on costs exponentially and take advantage of the robust potential of storage solutions. The holistic project indicates ACCIONA’s commitment to being a frontrunner of renewable energy in South America.
Broader Impact on Renewable Energy in Chile
Once completed, the Malgarida BESS project is anticipated to be one of the largest battery storage installations in South America. This system’s ultimately massive scale and proprietary capabilities will radically change the way we use renewable energy throughout the entire region. It will create a new wave of energy efficiency and sustainability. ACCIONA Energía makes it possible to store and manage the energy produced with clean solar power efficiently. This combined effort hopes to increase both the reliability and sustainability of Chile’s energy grid.
This project enhances ACCIONA Energía’s already remarkable footprint of PV plants in Chile. It is home to major projects such as El Romero (246MW), Usya (64MW) and Almeyda (62MW). Each of these projects supports the company’s overall mission of building more renewable energy generation and ensuring it can be used wherever needed throughout the country.
Recent Developments and Future Prospects
In May 2023, ACCIONA Energía started commercial operations at its Forty Mile wind farm in Alberta, Canada. This recent development illustrates the company’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy footprint across various regions. The Chile BESS projects, meanwhile, are glimmering examples of progress. This achievement firmly establishes ACCIONA Energía’s leadership in the global transition to sustainable energy solutions.