Codelco launches 1 MW solar park in Atacama

Jun 14, 2012 - Chilean state-run copper miner Codelco yesterday officially opened a 1 MW photovoltaic (PV) park in the Atacama desert which represents Chile's first industrial PV park.
Calama Solar 3 was built by Spanish renewable energy company Solarpack, which now operates the facility. The project required a USD 3.5 million (EUR 2.8m) investment and will supply Codelco's Chuquicamata division.
This is the first PV project worldwide developed without subsidies and by not linked industrial companies which allows for reaching the grid parity, Codelco said.
The park will create confidence among investors and will lead to the construction of other solar projects in this part of Chile, according to energy minister Jorge Bunster. In Chile, there are 21 solar projects with environmental permits that could add 700 MW.
(USD 1 = EUR 0.795)

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