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Planta Solar San Pedro III

About

Facts

Location Calama, Chile
Technology Solarpower
Attributes Environmental Certification (EIA) approved by national Law in Chile
Producing Electricity since January 2016
Developer/Owner WEG Capital
Installed Capacity 57,7 MW
Estimated Annual Generation 165,000 MWh

As the northern part of Chile is a desert area and being characterized as having one of the highest solar radiation areas worldwide, it has a great potential to generate renewable energy. Planta Solar San Pedro III contributes in the supply of the Chilean energy mix in a sustainable way, using renewable resources in the Northern part of Chile and operating in a clean way.

Planta Solar San Pedro III is a photovoltaic solar plant located 32 km southeast from the city of Calama. The solar park started its operations on January 2016 with a capacity of 57.44 MW, which generate 165,000 MWh of renewable energy annually. This energy is injected into Chile´s National Electrical Grid. This solar PV plant has 186,480 high-tech panels that are constantly maintained to maximize power generation and bring it to industries and homes in Chile.

Prior to its construction, Planta Solar San Pedro III project was approved by the environmental impact assessment (EIA) in 2012. The EIA process is an interdisciplinary procedure, which is helping to identify the possible environmental, social and cultural effects of a proposed activity and how those impacts can be mitigated.

The owner, WEG Capital, is a Chilean company dedicated to managing third-party funds that invest in alternative assets.

Community and Environment

Community

Planta Solar San Pedro III has established agreements with the authorities of Calama and the indigenous communities of the Alto El Loa area, complying with the highest environmental and social standards such as the principles of Ecuador and IFC performance standards. In addition, the solar plant contributes in the transformation of the city of Calama towards a “solar city”, fostering the development of other northern cities in Chile. The solar park provides competitive and clean energy to the mining sector, one of the biggest energy consumer industries in Chile.

Environmental Impact Assessment

The mining industry in northern Chile has a high energy requirement for its operation. In the past, Chile relied mostly on fossil fuels for power generation, which had to be imported from other countries. As Planta Solar San Pedro III is located in the northern region, where it has one of the highest solar radiation worldwide, the country has now the opportunity of exploiting solar energy in its northern region. Planta Solar San Pedro III was approved by the Environmental Impact Assessment process in 2012, a technical tool that identifies, predicts, and analyzes impacts on the physical environment, as well as social, cultural, and health impacts.

Wildlife Protection

To avoid the collision and the electrocution of birds on the electric structures of the solar park, isolation devices have been installed on the towers and cables of the high voltage transmission line. These devices avoid the impact of the birds with the high voltage cables.

Archaeological and Cultural Heritage

During the construction phase, archaeologists have verified the suitability of the land for construction with regards on Chile’s archeological and cultural heritage preservation. In addition, construction workers have been instructed on legal regulations, the type of site observed in the area and the procedures to be followed in case of an archaeological finding.

Planta solar San Pedro III in operation