On October 30, 2024, Chile announced the start of commercial operations for the El Manzano energy storage system, developed by Enel Green Power. This facility has a net installed capacity of 67 MW for two hours, totaling 134 MWh.
The hybrid renewable strategy will enable the combined operation of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and the photovoltaic plant at El Manzano to inject approximately 226 GWh of renewable energy annually into the national grid. This output is sufficient to power about 75,000 Chilean households and will prevent the emission of around 182,000 tons of CO2 each year.
Additionally, the El Manzano cluster is set to manage around 44 GWh annually, facilitating the transfer of renewable generation during peak consumption periods when solar resources are limited. The BESS also provides ancillary services by regulating frequency, enhancing stability and security within the electrical system.
This milestone marks the completion of the development cycle for Enel Chile's first energy cluster in the Metropolitan Region. The integration of bifacial photovoltaic generation and storage technologies supports the company's goal of advancing 100% renewable energy production and storage near major consumption centers.
Giuseppe Turchiarelli, General Manager of Enel Chile, stated, 'An industrial-scale hybrid project like this allows us to enhance efficiency in resource utilization. Being situated in an urban area enables direct connection to the regional distribution network, optimizing the use of solar resources at different times.'