Mainstream Renewable Power has received approval from Chile’s Environmental Assessment Service for its 245MW Escondido solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in the Atacama region.
The facility, which is expected to cost $290m, will be split across two locations in the communes of Copiapó and Tierra Amarilla.
The 145MW Río Escondido solar farm, which will be situated 58km from the city of Copiapó, will cover about 422ha and feature 550,368 panels.
The 100MW Valle Escondido, which will be located 49km from Copiapó, will feature 382,000 panels across 360ha.
Both facilities will be connected to the grid through a transmission line from the Rio Escondido substation.
Mainstream Chile general manager Bart Doyle said: “The north of the country benefits from some of the highest levels of solar radiation in the world, and Chile has yet to properly promote and develop its solar energy resource.
“With the Escondido project we want to contribute by delivering clean energy for the region and the country, which will help diversify the energy mix and move towards sustainable development.”
Mainstream Renewable Power has been operating in Chile since 2008. The company has a portfolio of over 20 solar and wind projects in several stages of development across the country.
Image: Mainstream’s 50MW solar PV plant in Droogfontein, South Africa in operation since 2014. Photo: Courtesy of Mainstream Renewable Power.