ContourGlobal has broken ground on a large-scale hybrid renewable energy project in Chile, pairing a utility-scale solar installation with one of the country's more substantial battery storage deployments to date.

Project Overview

The development, known as Los Maitenes, combines a 131 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar photovoltaic plant with a 90 MW/360 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The project is located in Chile's O'Higgins region and will integrate generation and storage assets on a single site, a configuration increasingly favored by developers seeking to firm up variable renewable output and improve dispatchability.

Construction and Timeline

ContourGlobal has formally commenced construction, with commercial operations targeted for the end of 2027. The multi-year build timeline reflects both the scale of the combined solar and storage installation and the infrastructure requirements associated with connecting a project of this size to Chile's grid.

Storage Capacity in Context

The 360 MWh storage component represents a meaningful addition to Chile's battery storage landscape. At a four-hour duration ratio relative to its 90 MW power capacity, the BESS is sized to shift solar generation into higher-demand periods rather than simply provide short-duration grid services. Chile's northern and central grids have seen growing interest from storage developers in recent years as the country's renewables penetration has risen and grid operators have sought greater flexibility from new projects.

ContourGlobal's Regional Footprint

ContourGlobal, which operates power generation assets across multiple continents, is expanding its presence in Latin America's renewable sector through Los Maitenes. The O'Higgins region, located south of Santiago, provides favorable solar irradiation conditions that support the economics of a project heavily reliant on photovoltaic generation paired with storage to extend its effective delivery window.