Statkraft obtains enviro nod for 671-MWp solar project in Chile

• Norwegian renewables business Statkraft A/S has actually received the environmental approval to install a 671-MWp solar farm in the Chilean region of Antofagasta, its Chile-based unit claimed on Friday.

The project is called Pauna Solar, and will include co-located 2.06-MWh battery power storage system (BESS) and an investment of some USD 496 million (EUR 450.8 m), the Antofagasta region's energy ministry claimed in a separate press release.

Statkraft will construct the Pauna Solar plant on an 809-hectares location (1,999 acres) in the commune of Maria Elena using over a million bifacial solar modules. The BESS system will certainly keep the plant's solar energy for about 4 hours.

The Pauna Solar project will also sustain growth strategies that Statkraft has for its green hydrogen organization, the company stated.

The solar farm is projected to begin commercial operation in 2024.

Statkraft presently runs hydroelectric plants in Chile as well as has 3 wind farm projects incomplete, which will add over 100 MW of installed capacity.