Enel, through its renewable subsidiary Enel Green Power Chile, began the construction of its new solar photovoltaic (PV) plant, Campos del Sol. With approximately 382 MW of installed capacity, the facility is the largest solar plant currently under construction in Chile. The project, which is located 60 km northeast of Copiapó, Atacama Region, will involve a total investment of around 320 million US dollars.

“The start of construction of Campos del Sol marks a major milestone for Enel Green Power in Chile. By breaking ground at the country’s largest solar project, we are reinforcing our commitment to decarbonisation and once again confirming our leading role in the Chilean energy transition. The project’s sustainability focus, as well as innovative profile, are aimed at maximising shared returns for the Group and its stakeholders, in line with our strategy based on sustainability and innovation as key drivers for value creation,” said Antonio Cammisecra, Head of Enel Green Power.

Campos del Sol will start operations by the end of 2020 and is estimated to generate around 1,160 GWh per year, avoiding the emission of more than 900,000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. The facility will boast around one million bifacial PV panels, a technology that maximises energy generation by capturing solar radiation from both sides of the panel, generating on average 12% more electricity than conventional modules.

This solar project also stands out for its innovative, digital features. The Campos del Sol construction site will leverage on state-of-the-art machinery guided and controlled by a GPS, while an autonomous drone will remotely monitor worksite activities, boosting the plant’s construction process productivity and efficiency.