The Cerro Dominador solar complex, located in Maria Elena, in the heart of Chile’s Atacama Desert, inaugurated its CSP plant after a successful process of gradual synchronization with the Chilean electricity system. The plant generates 100% clean energy both during the day and at night. It is the first CSP Plant in Latin America to Provide 100% Renewable Energy on 24-Hour Basis.
Its beginning of operations is an important milestone in the decarbonization commitments assumed by Chile and it is a great contribution to having a renewable energy matrix. “We are proud to contribute with clean, flexible and innovative energy towards achieving the carbon neutrality goals of Chile,” said Fernando González, CEO of Cerro Dominador.
The 110 MW solar thermal facility has 10,600 heliostats, each with a surface area of approximately140 m2, on a site of more than 700 hectares, which concentrate the reflected solar radiation onto a receiver located at the top of the 250-meter-high tower, through which molten salts circulate, absorbing the heat. Salts are then stored in large tanks to be used to generate electricity through a steam turbine, avoiding the emission of approximately 640,000 tons of CO2 per year and supplying a city of approximately 380,000 homes. Together with its photovoltaic plant, Cerro Dominador generates 210 MW of energy.
The project obtained financing from the European Union’s Laif Program and KfW from Germany (through CORFO), as well as from a consortium of international banks, and was built by the Acciona-Abengoa Consortium.
More information here.