Solarcentury, EDF, Engie among winners as Chile unveils results of 2.6GW solar tender

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
An existing solar array in Dona Carmen, Chile. Image: Solarcentury.

The Chilean government has awarded development rights for 11 utility-scale renewables projects in the country, totalling more than 2.6GW.

Renewables heavyweights including EDF, Engie and Enel have won out in the tender, Chile’s Ministry of National Assets has revealed, with projects coming forward with an implied total investment value north of US$2.5 billion.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The Ministry held a competitive tender for land in three regions of the country, namely Tarapacá, Antofagasta and Atacama, for which 40-year tenancy agreements are to be signed. A total of 15 offers came forward for 11 specific areas of land, with eight specific companies emerging with winning bids. No subsidies will be paid to the solar farms, which will instead pay rent to the Chilean state.

EDF, Engie and Enel are joined by SolarPack, Solarcentury, Sonnedix, Caldera Solar and CopiapoEnergíaSolar as having won development rights, with solar projects now expected to come forward.

Julio Isamit, Chile’s minister of national assets, said the awards were good news as they demonstrated that the country remains an attractive destination of investment.

The Chilean government announced the tender at the end of last year before lauding its transition to renewables and away from fossil fuel-fired generators at the COP25 summit held in Madrid. Atacama in particular is reportedly home to the world’s highest irradiation levels, prompting considerable development interest from some of utility-scale solar’s biggest names.

Solarcentury said it had been awarded development rights for three projects in the tender, totalling just over 1GWp (963MWac), with the company claiming it to have the largest share of sites – in both number and generation capacity – than any other developer.

The projects themselves – the 314MWp array in Pintados, Tarapacá; a 185MWp farm in Sureste de Calama and a 537MWp array near Maria Elena Noreste, both in Antofagasta – are expected to generate as much as 3,000kWh per kWp deployed, owing to the “unmatched” solar resource created by location and altitude.

“The land we have secured in this auction represents some of the best land in the world to develop solar as it combines great irradiance with cool temperatures,” Cristian Fuenzalida, business development senior manager at Solarcentury LATAM, said.

“The Chilean government has recognised the importance of solar in this time of climate and COVID-19 crisis. These projects will support the energy transition to zero carbon and – just as importantly – create much needed jobs.”

A feature article in PV Tech Power volume 23 explored the potential for solar PV in Chile, with the country progressing towards a 100% renewable power target. ‘Chile reaping the rewards of the desert sun’ can be read here.

Read Next

September 12, 2025
Colombian energy supplier Celsia is seeking more than US$1.2 billion in investment to build wind and solar generation projects in Peru. 
September 10, 2025
Voltalia is seeking compensation for the ongoing curtailment of its Brazilian solar and wind fleet, which has exceeded expectations this year.
September 2, 2025
Spanish construction firm GES (Global Energy Services) has secured a contract to build a roughly 700MW solar-wind-storage hybrid project in Chile.
September 2, 2025
Scatec has signed a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with BTG Pactual Comercializadora de Energia to develop a 130MW solar project in Colombia.
September 2, 2025
Spanish independent power producer (IPP) Grenergy has sold the fourth phase of its flagship solar-plus-storage project in Chile, Oasis de Atacama.
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.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

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
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA