Is Chile ready for a battery storage project?

Battery storage projects cannot come soon enough for Chile. While Chile has been at the forefront of renewable energy generation growth in Latin America for close to a decade, that growth has most recently undergone serious growing pains.

Does Engie Chile have a lithium-ion battery storage system?

Engie Chile, meanwhile, has two lithium-ion battery storage systems in operation, with a total capacity of 141 MW. At the beginning of next year, the company will inaugurate a 264 megawatt-hour, 96-battery facility, taking its total BESS portfolio in Chile to 371 MW.

Is lithium a critical energy resource in Chile?

The global and regional significance of lithium as a critical energy resource is examined. The evolution of Chile's lithium industry is analyzed, emphasizing two recent key policy initiatives: the 2015 National Lithium Commission report and the newly launched national lithium strategy. The salient features of these initiatives are outlined.

Why does Chile need lithium?

For a nation rich in the lithium reserves desperately needed to support the pace of the energy transition, it is critical that Chile adopt strategies that help meet global demand, maximize the benefits for its people, and protect the environment. The world needs lithium—a lot of it—for batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) and electricity storage.

Why are Chinese companies investing in Latin America's lithium batteries?

Chinese companies are the world’s leading producers of lithium batteries, and have shown increasing interest in Latin America’s vast lithium reserves – including in Chile – to supply its own juggernaut clean energy industries that are key to transitions in China and abroad.

How much battery storage does Chile have?

Chile has an operational installed capacity of approximately 1GW in batteries, and another 3GW is under construction. Battery storage has been largely financed by bank lending in recent years, but we believe larger projects could increase the scope for bond financing.