Zelestra has signed a long-term PPA with Abastible for a solar-plus-storage project in Tarapacá, Chile, featuring 220MW solar and 1GWh battery systems. This collaboration will enhance Abastible’s renewable portfolio. This marks Abastible’s second solar-plus-storage PPA, following a recent 15-year agreement with Verano Energy. Chile aims to address curtailment issues through co-located solutions as it seeks to lead South American solar PV growth despite regulatory challenges.
Zelestra, a Spanish renewable energy developer, has finalized a power purchase agreement (PPA) with gas provider Abastible for a solar-plus-storage project in Chile. This hybrid facility, located in the Tarapacá region, will feature 220MW of solar power capacity alongside a 1GWh battery energy storage system (BESS), with construction already underway.
The PPA is designed to provide Abastible with power during nighttime hours, enhancing the company’s commitment to carbon-free energy solutions. This marks the second PPA for solar-plus-storage that Abastible has secured within a month, following a 15-year agreement with Verano Energy for an 83MW solar PV and 660MWh BESS project, set to commence operations by late 2026.
Zelestra’s presence extends across several Latin American nations, which includes a substantial development pipeline of 7GW consisting of 56 projects across Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador. The co-location of solar and BESS is becoming increasingly critical in Chile due to rising curtailment and transmission problems. In 2024, nearly 6TWh of solar PV and wind capacity faced curtailment.
The ongoing challenges necessitate that BESS be integrated with solar assets, as emphasized by Alejandro McDonough, managing director at Wärtsilä Chile, underscoring its importance for revenue sustainability. Looking ahead, Chile and Brazil are poised to be the primary contributors to solar PV growth in South America, according to Wood Mackenzie, which projects 160GW of new capacity by 2034, predominantly from these two countries.
Despite this optimistic outlook, challenges remain, particularly concerning financial regulations and policies for BESS development within Latin America and the Caribbean as highlighted by energy experts.
In conclusion, Zelestra’s collaboration with Abastible marks a significant milestone in the advancement of solar-plus-storage energy solutions in Chile. With an impending focus on addressing the financial and regulatory hurdles, the combined efforts of both Chile and Brazil will play a pivotal role in expanding solar PV capacity across South America, thus promoting carbon-free energy alternatives effectively.
Original Source: www.pv-tech.org
