Chile approves 40-MW PV project in Valparaiso

SEENEWS | DIANA HRISTOVA —
The Chilean environmental authorities gave the go-ahead on Monday for construction of the 40-MW Dona Carmen solar park, the second photovoltaic (PV) project approved in the Valparaiso region until now, the energy ministry said Tuesday.

The plant was proposed last year by Chilean company Ingenieria y Montajes Electricos SA (Imelsa), with an estimated investment of USD 67 million (EUR 59.5m).

It will produce electricity for the main power system, SIC, through 159,016 PV modules in La Ligua.

The project, unanimously approved by the committee, will provide more flexibility to Valparaiso whose power generation is based on natural gas and coal, the local representative of the ministry, Jorge Olivares, said.

In September 2014, the authorities in the region approved a 9-MWp solar park of Bartolillo SpA.

By 2025, Chile aims to increase the share of non-conventional renewable energy to 20% of its electricity mix.