- This new plant has successfully passed all tests conducted by the National Electrical Coordinator. These tests aimed to ensure the reliability of the facilities in terms of generation and safety for both the collaborators and the system. As a result, the plant has now commenced injecting 100% clean energy into the National Electrical System.
On January 15, 2023, Enel Chile, through its subsidiary Enel Green Power Chile, received authorization from the National Electricity Coordinator to begin commercial operation of the El Manzano photovoltaic farm. This farm has a net installed capacity of 99 MW and is expected to generate around 226 GWh of 100% clean energy annually.
Fabrizio Barderi, general manager of Enel Chile, expressed his delight at the commencement of commercial operations at El Manzano, located within the Metropolitan Region. “The plant will inject the energy generated into the National Electric System, thus helping to overcome the challenges posed by the lack of transmission infrastructure and ensuring that renewable energy is available to meet the high demand in urban areas. Enel Chile is promoting the use of renewable energy in the country and has recently made a move in line with this strategy”.
Implementing 162 thousand bifacial panels and state-of-the-art technology in developing photovoltaic power plants at El Manzano will enable better capture of solar radiation and improved generation profiles. The new solar park will supply renewable energy to approximately 75 thousand homes annually, preventing the emission of 178 thousand tons of CO2 annually”.
As part of its hybridization strategy, the El Manzano solar farm is considering the inclusion of storage batteries (BESS), which would provide a 67 MW 2-hour capacity. The storage project is currently under development and is expected to be completed during the first half of 2024.
Enel Green Power Chile, a subsidiary of Enel Chile, is a leading player in Chile's renewable energy market. It has a diverse portfolio of energy sources, including wind (821 MW), solar (1,826 MW), hydro (92 MW), and geothermal (83 MW). The company is committed to increasing its contribution to the national energy matrix by developing new renewable projects.