With this in mind, we are thrilled that Colbún has chosen to partner with e-STORAGE. Together, they will jointly create the Diego de Almagro Sur Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Chile. Construction is scheduled to start in June 2025, with the project expected to be in commercial operation by December 2026. As a result, this initiative improves the quality, stability, reliability, and efficiency of Chile’s energy grid. It furthers our efforts to switch to cleaner, renewable energy.
The BESS will be coupled with Colbún’s already operating 232MW Diego de Almagro Sur Solar Park, which has been operational since 2022. This integration will better equip the BESS to provide critical services such as energy shifting and capacity contribution. By injecting this much needed capacity, it will dramatically improve the reliability of Chile’s national grid. The BESS provide power to an estimated 110,000 residential customers. That bolsters the growing demand for renewable energy.
Peak employment on the BESS project is projected to be 150 jobs. This underscores its critical importance to advancing energy efficiency as a foundation for energy sustainability and driving local economic development. Those advanced grid services offered by the BESS are essential to Chile’s energy transition. Functions including grid forming, black start capabilities, and inertia support allow a greater share of renewables to be integrated into the country’s energy mix.
“The Diego de Almagro Sur BESS Project represents a significant milestone for e-STORAGE’s expansion in Latin America and reinforces our role as a key enabler of Chile’s clean energy transformation. This project showcases the critical role of BESS in enabling greater grid reliability, optimizing renewable energy usage, and supporting industrial demand with a secure and continuous supply. With our SolBank 3.0 technology, we are not only delivering cutting-edge performance and safety but also reinforcing our long-term commitment to Latin America’s clean energy future.” – Colin Parkin, e-STORAGE president
And with regard to the deal, here’s what Colbún’s CEO, José Ignacio Escobar, had to say about this new partnership. He added that the deal puts Colbún at the forefront of Chile’s future energy storage industry. Escobar wanted folks to understand just how groundbreaking this project is. It guarantees a stable and dependable supply of renewable energy to Colbún’s industrial and bigger business clients.
“This agreement with e-STORAGE positions us as one of the leading companies in Chile’s energy storage market, ensuring a continuous and secure supply of renewable energy for our industrial clients.” – José Ignacio Escobar, CEO of Colbún
With these efforts, Colbún is stepping up to address increasing energy demands. This new effort will exponentially increase its current storage capacity in a sustainable manner. The pilot project furthers Chile’s ambition to lead a responsible energy transition. It’s what makes renewable energy secure, truly sustainable, and competitive with all forms of energy.