| Work Detail |
These are SOAR, Gemini Sur, and Rubin, located in Cerro Pachón, in the Coquimbo region. The project, submitted for environmental assessment, proposes 4.5 MWp of solar energy and a 20 MWh storage system. Chiles Environmental Impact Assessment Service (SEIA) has approved the project Photovoltaic park and energy storage system to supply electricity to the SOAR, Gemini South, and Rubin telescopes and their support facilities on Cerro Pachón. This project includes the development of a solar park with an installed capacity of 4.5 MWp and a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of 20 MWh. According to the presentation, the complex will be located in the municipalities of Vicuña and Río Hurtado, in the province of Elqui and Limarí, respectively, both in the Coquimbo region. The project aims to replace the current conventional energy supply system, with an estimated investment of $10 million. The energy generated will be used exclusively by the Observatories facilities, which are intended for scientific and academic purposes, and will not be injected into the National Electric System (SEN). While there are no specifications regarding the photovoltaic park, except that it will occupy an area of ??3,477 hectares, it is specified that the BESS system will consist of six lithium-iron-phosphate battery banks connected to two 3.45 MWac bidirectional inverters. The generated energy will be evacuated through a 662 m, 23 kV interconnection line, which will be connected to the existing Cerro Pachón distribution grid. Construction is expected to begin in September 2025 and be completed by March of next year. It is noteworthy that because the project will be linked to the operation of the observatories, which is estimated to last 50 years, its useful life will be approximately 50 years and 10 months. The SOAR, Gemini South, and Rubin telescopes are three astronomical observatories, considered among the most advanced in the world, used for studying the universe. Each has unique characteristics and plays a key role in the exploration of the cosmos. The first two began operating in 2004 and 2002, respectively, while Rubin is under construction and is expected to be operational this year. |
