Spain's Ibereólica Eyes Massive 990MW Storage Boost in Antofagasta

Spanish renewable energy developer Grupo Ibereólica is advancing its renewable portfolio in Chile with plans to integrate a 990MW/4.95GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) into its USD 874 million ERNC Antofagasta project, currently in the pre-construction stage. 

If completed, this facility would rank among the largest battery storage systems in the world.

Project Background

The original ERNC Antofagasta project, approved by SEA in 2023, includes 528MW of wind capacity and 675MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity, making it one of northern Chile’s major hybrid renewable energy developments. The addition of a large-scale BESS aims to enhance the plant’s performance and grid integration capacity.

To move forward, Ibereólica has submitted a letter of relevance to Chile’s Environmental Assessment Service (SEA), requesting an evaluation on whether the newly added storage component requires a full environmental review.

Addressing Grid Congestion in Northern Chile

In its submission, Ibereólica highlighted persistent transmission congestion issues in northern Chile as a key driver behind the need for this energy storage addition. The company explained that at certain times, renewable generation exceeds the grid’s ability to absorb the electricity, leading to curtailment losses.

With the new BESS system, surplus energy generated during congestion periods will be stored and later dispatched when grid availability improves, thus increasing overall system reliability and stability. Because the project connects to Chile’s National Electric System (SEN), the BESS will also be capable of charging directly from the grid, a flexibility that enhances its operational value.

Broader Collaborative Efforts 

Beyond Antofagasta, Ibereólica continues to collaborate with Repsol on hybridisation projects, including the 165MW Atacama wind farm, where both companies plan to integrate an additional 170MW BESS to optimise generation and energy dispatch.

Chile’s energy sector is rapidly scaling up similar initiatives. For instance, in the Atacama region, the Darden Clean Energy project, backed by the California State Energy Commission, has been recognised as the world’s largest solar-plus-storage venture, combining 1.15GW of solar PV with 1.15GW/4.6GWh of battery capacity. Similarly, Grenergy’s Oasis de Atacama project, spanning seven phases and partly transferred to ContourGlobal, is also among the largest global storage developments.

Fueled by the rapid deployment of hybrid renewable projects, Chile is on track to surpass 10 GW of installed energy storage capacity by 2030, with a strong pipeline expected to exceed 2 GW by 2026.