The newly erected pylon will be part of a 55.5km transmission line through the Atacama Desert
The newly erected Pylon No 100 will be part of a 55.5km transmission line through the Atacama Desert, connecting the Rio Escondido Solar PV farm to the Chilean grid. (Credit: Mainstream Renewable Power.)
Mainstream Renewable Power has raised the 100th transmission line pylon for the first phase of its 1.3GW wind and solar power generation platform Andes Renovables in Chile.
Andes Renovables is a fully contracted three-phase solar and wind power project involving an investment of around $1.7bn.
The 571MW Condor phase consists of one solar photovoltaic (PV) and three wind farms, already under construction.
In total, Andes Renovables includes seven wind farms and three solar PV generation facilities. The assets will reach commercial operation in 2021.
The next two phases, Huemul and Copihue, will have a combined capacity of around 730MW.
Río Escondido is said to be first solar PV project of Mainstream in the country
Located near the Tierra Amarilla commune in the northern region of Atacama, the newly erected Pylon No 100 will be part of a 55.5km transmission line through the Atacama Desert, connecting the Rio Escondido Solar PV farm to the Chilean grid, which features a combined 179 towers.
Río Escondido is said to be Mainstream’s first solar PV project in the country.
According to the company, Río Escondido is part of the 571MW Condór portfolio, which includes the Tchamma, Cerro Tigre and Alena wind farms.
Mainstream stated: “It will initially carry energy generated by the 170MWp solar plant to the Cardones substation, where it will be injected into the National Energy System.
“At a later date, the line will also serve Río Escondido’s sister project, the 123 MWp Valle Escondido solar PV farm, which is still at its development stage.”
The first phase of the Andes Renovables platform will provide power to Chilean households from 2021.