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Published on Feb 13, 2026
Jefther A
ACCIONA Energía has begun construction of a 1 Gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) at its Malgarida solar Photovoltaic (PV) plant  in Chile’s Atacama Desert. The system will be one of Latin America’s largest grid‑scale storage projects once commissioned in early 2027.
This strategic Malgarida Solar PV Plant battery storage project will allow energy produced during peak sun hours to be stored and dispatched at night. The flexibility improves grid reliability and cuts reliance on fossil fuels.
Moreover, the advanced storage system will support higher solar integration in Chile’s power mix, which is rapidly growing thanks to strong PV capacity and renewable policies.
The battery installation has 200 megawatts( MW) power output and 1 GWh capacity. This  means it can deliver stored energy at full output for up to five hours. This delivers reliable electricity across demand peaks and supports night‑time supply.
ACCIONA Energía’s decision reflects a global trend toward hybrid solar‑plus‑storage systems that shift daytime solar output to evening hours. Furthermore, Chile’s high solar irradiation and growing renewable portfolio make it ideal for such systems.
The Malgarida project links to the company’s broader Chile portfolio, which includes three wind farms and five photovoltaic plants totaling 922 MW of renewable capacity.
With the storage system’s commissioning scheduled for early 2027, the project will demonstrate how battery technology enhances energy dispatchability and stabilizes grid integration.

Chile has become a leader in renewable expansion across South America. Continued investments in solar and battery storage help balance the grid and reduce carbon emissions.
The installation of the Malgarida BESS aligns with regional efforts to add flexibility to variable renewable power sources. These include other large‑scale storage initiatives such as the Oasis de Atacama hybrid project, which integrates solar generation with multi‑GWh battery capacity.
ACCIONA Energía’s pipeline in Chile also includes three additional storage projects totaling around 1.5 GWh, expanding system flexibility at other PV sites.
The deployment of utility‑scale BESS assets is crucial for cleaner energy access and supports peak demand management, reducing fossil fuel use during evening hours.
Chile is expanding it’s solar energy with large-scale portfolios such as 588 MW solar and 1610 MWh BESS projects reinforcing the country’s emergence as a renewables leader.
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