AES Andes gets OK on mega wind, solar hybrid with BESS in Chile

Chilean power utility AES Andes has secured environmental approval to proceed with its Pampas hybrid project in the Taltal commune, northern Chile, where it is now free to build a 392-MW wind and solar farm complex with 624 MW in batteries.

The construction of Pampas is now scheduled to begin during the first half of 2025, AES Andes said on Tuesday after securing the rubber stamp on the environmental impact study (EIS) for the project.

The basic features of the Pampas hybrid survived scrutiny during the permitting procedure, according to the approval posted on the website of Chile’s environmental assessment service. The wind farm will have 140 MW of installed capacity across 20 pieces of 7-MW turbines. The 252-MWp solar photovoltaic plant will be divided into two sections.

The project also includes the installation of two lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS), one for the wind farm and the other for the solar farm, with a combined storage capacity reaching 624 MW.

“The Pampas Hybrid Project not only confirms our company's commitment to the development of renewable energies, but also our leadership in Latin America in storage solutions to continue delivering the services that the system requires to enable an effective energy transition. Pampas is a new step in our Greentegra strategy to rapidly advance towards the transformation of our portfolio to renewable energy,” said Javier Dib, CEO of AES Andes.

Investment in the Pampas project is estimated at USD 800 million (EUR 718.8m). The utility expects to create over 900 jobs during construction, while 48 jobs will be open for the operation and maintenance crew.

The Pampas hybrid is expected to start operation during the first quarter of 2027, according to the approved EIA.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.898)

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