In Chile, ENGIE launches Latin America's largest battery energy storage system

By Rémy EISENSTEIN - ENGIE announced the commercial inauguration of BESS Coya in Chile, marking a significant step forward in the field of battery energy storage in Latin America. With an installed capacity of 139 MW and a storage capacity of 638 MWh, this project is located on the Coya photovoltaic site in the Antofagasta region. Using lithium batteries, BESS Coya's mission is to store the energy produced by the adjacent solar power plant, aiming to strengthen the supply of renewable electricity.

This energy storage system, made up of 232 modules, has the capacity to provide five hours of electricity, injected into the network during periods of high demand. BESS Coya is expected to supply 200 GWh annually, powering around 100,000 homes and avoiding the emission of 65,000 tonnes of CO2 each year. This initiative is part of ENGIE's objective to promote the development of battery storage and to reach 10 GW of installed capacity by 2030.

Paulo Almirante, Deputy Managing Director of ENGIE, underlines the importance of this project in the company's overall strategy aimed at accelerating the energy transition. Thanks to ENGIE's commitment to sustainable development, BESS Coya will play a crucial role in integrating renewable energy into the energy system, ensuring its efficiency and reliability.

By the end of 2023, ENGIE had already established a notable presence in the energy storage space, with 1.3 GW of battery capacity in operation and 3.6 GW in development. With the launch of BESS Coya, ENGIE strengthens its leadership position in the advancement of energy storage technologies and the transition to a sustainable energy future.