Enel, through its renewables subsidiary Enel Green Power Chile, has started construction of Campos del Sol, a new solar photovoltaic plant in Chile. With approximately 382 MW of installed capacity, Campos del Sol is the largest solar plant currently under construction in the country. The new solar park, which is located 60 km northeast of Copiapó, in the Atacama region, will require a total investment of approximately US$320 million.
“The beginning of the construction of Campos del Sol – he commented Antonio Cammisecra, head of Enel Green Power – marks an important milestone for Enel Green Power in Chile. With the construction of the largest solar project in the country, we are strengthening our commitment to decarbonisation and once again confirming our leading role in Chile's energy transition. The attention to sustainability of the project, as well as the innovative profile, aim to maximize the benefits for the group and its stakeholders, in line with our strategy based on sustainability and innovation as key factors for the creation of value."
Campos del Sol will enter service at the end of 2020 and it is estimated that it will generate approximately 1.160 GWh per year, avoiding the emission of over 900 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. The plant it will be made up of around one million bifacial photovoltaic panels, a technology that maximizes power generation by capturing solar radiation from both sides of the panel, generating an average of 12% more electricity than conventional modules.
This solar park also stands out for its innovative digital features: the Campos del Sol construction site it will use state-of-the-art machinery guided and controlled by a GPS, while an autonomous drone will remotely monitor the activities increasing the productivity and efficiency of the plant construction process.
As part of the development process, Enel Green Power Chile has initiated a permanent dialogue with five local “Colla” communities, which include around 100 people, to identify impact mitigation actions and value generation opportunities for these communities. As a result of this process, a shared plan is underway with short, medium and long-term projects in line with the priorities of the communities and the company's sustainable objectives, such as the sustainable tourism initiatives developed in collaboration with the Chilean NGO Fundación Rondo.
