Chile reaches 400 MW of solar power at end-2014

Diana Hristova | SeeNews Renewables — Chile’s installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity reached 402 MW at the end of 2014, the first year of expansion for solar energy on the local market, according to the monthly report of the state’s innovation and sustainable energy centre Cifes. The country had only 4 MW of solar plants at the end of 2013. In December 2014, the 40-MW Chanares PV park and a 5-MW biomass plant were hooked to the grid whereby total renewable energy capacity reached 2,097 MW, excluding large hydro plants. This represents 10.5% of the two major interconnected systems of Chile, […]

By Derick Lila January 19, 20150

Diana Hristova | SeeNews Renewables —

Chile’s installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity reached 402 MW at the end of 2014, the first year of expansion for solar energy on the local market, according to the monthly report of the state’s innovation and sustainable energy centre Cifes.

The country had only 4 MW of solar plants at the end of 2013.

In December 2014, the 40-MW Chanares PV park and a 5-MW biomass plant were hooked to the grid whereby total renewable energy capacity reached 2,097 MW, excluding large hydro plants.

This represents 10.5% of the two major interconnected systems of Chile, Cifes said. Wind farms lead the renewables mix with over 830 MW, followed by biomass, solar, mini hydro and biogas units.

Chile’s renewable energy output grew 10.04% month-on-month to 608 GWh in December, including 191 GWh of wind, 167 GWh of biomass and 137 GWh of mini hydro, while PV and biogas plants produced 90 GWh and 24 GWh, respectively.

In addition, the country has approved 14,700 MW of renewable energy projects, not yet built, and has some 6,800 MW in evaluation.