Atlas Renewable Energy Launches Chile’s Landmark BESS del Desierto

image from Atlas Renewable Energy

BESS del Desierto, Chile and Latin America’s first large-scale stand-alone battery energy storage system (BESS), officially inaugurated on April 24 in María Elena, Antofagasta Region. Organized by Atlas Renewable Energy, the event gathered over 100 energy industry leaders to mark this major milestone for the region’s electric market.

With 200 MW of installed capacity and 800 MWh of storage, BESS del Desierto can power around 2,500 electric buses with over 500,000 km of combined range. Spanning three hectares, its 320 batteries store solar energy during the day and inject it back into the grid during peak demand, expected to deliver 280 GWh annually to the national system, supporting grid stability and reducing energy curtailment.

Construction began in 2024, involving mainly local workers from María Elena, Tocopilla, and Calama, with women making up 25% of the workforce. The project was completed safely, with no major incidents.

During the event, Carlos “Ucho” Barrera, CEO of Atlas Renewable Energy, highlighted the importance of storage to solve renewable energy’s intermittency challenges, enabling 24/7 clean power for industrial clients. Alfredo Solar, Regional Manager, emphasized that the project represents a key step for Chile’s energy transition, backed by strong community collaboration and financial support.

Chile’s Minister of Energy, Diego Pardow, celebrated the achievement, noting that the country will reach its energy storage targets years ahead of schedule thanks to projects like BESS del Desierto.

A 15-year PPA with Copec-EMOAC will use the stored energy to power over 2,500 electric buses across 27 electroterminals, significantly advancing Chile’s clean transportation goals.