The National Energy Commission (CNE) gave a new boost to the development of energy storage in Chile, by adding five BESS systems to the list of facilities declared under construction during July 2026.
In total, the new initiatives reach a power of 529.5 MW and a storage capacity of 2,641.28 MWh.
The largest project is Sandstone BESS IV, owned by Río Seco SpA, which includes 300 MW and 1,500 MWh in the Tarapacá Region, with a connection to the Puerto Patache 220 kV substation. Its interconnection is planned for October 2027.
Next is BESS Parque Fotovoltaico El Romero , by El Romero SpA, with 196 MW and 980 MWh in the Atacama Region. The project will connect to the El Romero 33 kV substation and is expected to be interconnected by November 2027.
The list also includes BESS Copihue Nuevo , of 20 MW and 100 MWh; Santa Isidora BESS Solar Plant, of 9 MW and 41.28 MWh; and the storage component of Vichuquén Santa Elena Solar Park, of 4.5 MW and 20 MWh .
And here's a detail that doesn't go unnoticed: CNE also removed from the list of projects under construction four large storage systems that had begun their commissioning period: BESS Cristales, BESS Estela, BESS Estepa II and BESS II Salvador.
These four facilities have a combined power of 777 MW and a capacity of 3,315 MWh.
Pelequén and Monte Águila strengthen the solar portfolio
In addition to the BESS systems, the July update incorporated the Pelequén Solar Park , owned by GR Pelequén SpA, with 165 MW net and 187 MW of installed capacity in the O'Higgins Region.
Its connection is planned at the Malloa Nueva 220 kV substation, with an estimated interconnection date for November 2027.
The resolution also added the Vichuquén Santa Elena Solar Park , a net 4.5 MW photovoltaic PMGD that includes storage, and updated the installed capacity of the Monte Águila Photovoltaic Park from 283.24 MW to 342 MW.
The expansion comes as Chile's energy system continues to struggle to fully utilize its renewable generation capacity. Between January and July, the country accumulated 2,680 GWh of solar and wind power cuts, 1.6% more than during the same period in 2025.
Batteries can shift these surpluses to peak demand hours, but their development does not eliminate the need to accelerate transmission grids. Without sufficient infrastructure, the simultaneous growth of renewable generation and storage risks moving the bottleneck to other parts of the system.
A 29 GW pipeline faces more selective capital.
The new additions occur in a market whose environmental portfolio is considerably larger than the capacity that is actually reached at the construction stage.
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According to the According to the latest survey by the Chilean Renewable Energy and Storage Association (ACERA), Chile has accumulated 29,054 MW of energy storage projects in various environmental stages . Of that total, 17,729 MW have already been approved, while another 11,325 MW are still under evaluation.
The BESS project accounts for virtually the entire portfolio. Of the approved projects, 17,119 MW correspond to batteries, while all of the capacity still undergoing environmental assessment is associated with BESS developments.
However, only 5,040 MW and 21,721 MWh are currently under construction . This gap highlights the next major challenge for the Chilean market: converting environmental permits into financed, connected projects capable of generating sustainable revenue.
In that scenario, the addition of five new BESS to the CNE list takes on additional relevance, but there are factors that complicate the impulses.
Capital, however, is becoming much more selective . DNV warns that the systemic need to add batteries is no longer enough on its own to guarantee financing.
Investors are paying closer attention to revenue structure, the existence of long-term contracts, effective connection capacity, and each project's exposure to congestion, spills, and a potential reduction in hourly price differentials.
The market is already showing signs of financial appetite for robust projects. In February, Grenergy closed a $355 million senior non-recourse financing for the Gran Teno, Tamango, and Planchón plants, which combine 398 MW of solar power with 1.4 GWh of storage.
The operation, backed by long-term power purchase agreements and complementary marketing, confirms that financing is available, although it tends to concentrate on projects with sufficiently robust contracts, connection and engineering.
The tender opens up an opportunity, but it also raises the bar.
The 2026/01 Supply Tender includes 2,835 GWh annually for regulated customers, contracts for 15 years and supply starting between 2029 and 2030.
The preliminary terms expressly recognize energy storage systems as valid assets to support bids. Dividing them into time blocks also allows for leveraging the capacity of batteries to shift solar generation to peak demand hours.
For each block offered, the ratio between expected backup capacity and maximum awardable energy must be equal to or greater than 0.6 during the projected years. Overall, the ratio between backup capacity and potential contracting must be equal to or greater than one.
The design may favor renewable energy schemes with storage, especially during peak demand periods. However, it could also pose a barrier for projects that still need to secure permits, financing, construction, and grid connection before committing to firm supply.
The Renewable Generation Association (AGR) has warned that these requirements could favor companies with operating assets, installed batteries and diversified portfolios, reducing the space for new developers.
Thus, greater storage capacity does not automatically guarantee more competition. The outcome will depend on whether the bidding conditions allow new projects to participate, and not just companies with existing infrastructure.