Chile launches concentrating solar power tender

Chile’s energy minister Jorge Bunster and Hernán Cheyre, executive VP at state development agency Corfo, launched a call for bids for what the country boasts will be Latin America’s first concentrated solar power plant.

Chile’s energy minister Jorge Bunster and Hernán Cheyre, executive VP at state development agency Corfo, on Thursday (Feb 28) launched a call for bids for what the country boasts will be Latin America’s first concentrated solar power plant.

“The north has the highest intensities of solar radiation in the world, with clear skies during most of the year, a renewable resource that we need harness to make the transition to a safer, cleaner and cheaper energy matrix,” highlighted Bunster.
The plant must have an installed capacity of at least 10MW and a storage system that allows the plant to operate without sunlight for three hours at 85% capacity. Corfo will grant a US$20mn subsidy (up to 50% of project cost) along with an optional concession for government land.
Authorities have lined up over US$350mn in financing from international sources including 100mn euros (US$131mn) from German development bank KfW; upward of US$66mn from IDB; and a 15mn EU euro grant subsidy.