Acciona breaks ground on 64MW project in Chile’s Atacama

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Acciona's current renewable pipeline should see its portfolio hit the 700MW mark next year (Credit: Acciona)

Acciona Energy has made strides with its clean energy pipeline in Chile, with construction now underway for a PV project in the Atacama Desert.

The firm recently broke ground on the 64MW Usya installation, located on a 105-hectare site in the Calama municipality.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

Not ready to commit yet?
  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Some 400 people will work to build the farm in the Antofagasta region, designed to supply 146GWh of energy and create CO2 emission savings of 141,000 tonnes every year.

The plant will feature 187,000-plus modules on fixed structures once it is powered up, which is scheduled to happen in mid-2020.

The renewable project is one in four Acciona said last April it would develop in Chile, with plans to bring the 400MW pipeline online between this year and next.

Usya (64MW) will be delivered alongside also-PV project Almeyda (62MW) – slated for construction in the Atacama municipality of Diego de Almagro – and a further 270MW across two wind plants.

Together with existing solar and wind projects, the 400MW four under construction should take Acciona's Chilean renewable portfolio to 700MW. 

Acciona’s utility-scale projects come to boost an already bustling pipeline in Atacama, with neighbours including Mainstream (293MW), Sonnedix (171MW) and Solarpack (123MW).

The Madrid-headquartered firm is also busy deploying beyond Chile’s borders, with recent progress for a 250MW project in Australia, a 186MW partnership in Egypt and several schemes in Ukraine.

Read Next

August 29, 2025
Chinese module maker JA Solar has launched DesertBlue, a PV module designed for desert and semi-arid regions. 
August 29, 2025
Independent power producer (IPP) Verano Energy has closed a US$204 financing for a 83MW/660MWh solar-plus-storage project in Chile.
August 29, 2025
US grid interconnection agreements grew by 33% in 2024, reaching 75GW, with three-quarters signed for solar PV and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects, according to a new report from energy market analyst Wood Mackenzie.
August 29, 2025
Meridian Energy and Nova Energy have established a JV to build and operate a 400MW solar plant in Rangitaiki near Taupo in New Zealand.
August 28, 2025
Latin America has the potential to unlock billions in clean energy investment if it aligns national policies with global sustainability goals and investor expectations.
August 28, 2025
Indian solar manufacturing firm INA Solar has broken ground on its fourth 4.5GW cell production plant in Narmadapuram, Madhya Pradesh.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines