Colombia's energy transition has taken another step forward. The Chenche photovoltaic solar project, located in the municipality of Purificación (Tolima), officially began delivering energy to the National Interconnected System after entering the Start of Testing and Commissioning Date (FIPPS) stage. This process enables a plant to begin supplying electricity while it completes the technical tests required by the system to fully enter commercial operation.
The plant has an installed capacity of 14.96 MWp and an effective power delivery of 9.9 MW. In practical terms, this capacity would allow it to supply the average annual consumption of approximately 10,000 Colombian households, depending on their consumption habits and the operating conditions of the system.
The project, which consists of 20,925 photovoltaic modules, incorporates a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of 4.5 MWh, a technology that allows storing part of the energy produced during the hours of greatest solar radiation, to deliver it later when the system requires it.
In practice, this system works similarly to a large-scale rechargeable battery: it stores energy when there is higher production and releases it when demand increases or solar generation decreases, contributing to greater stability and efficiency of the national electricity grid.
A renewed electrical infrastructure to strengthen the region
One of the project's main contributions was the complete transformation of the Hilarco Substation, a strategic piece of infrastructure for the area's electrical grid. Before the intervention, the substation operated with basic infrastructure and a transformer of only 150 kVA, insufficient to support the connection of a renewable energy generation plant of this size.
After identifying this technical limitation, Erco Energía led the comprehensive modernization of the infrastructure by building the new Nueva Hilarco 34.5/13.2 kV Substation, designed under current operating and reliability standards.
The new substation incorporates six electrical bays that allow the integration of different distribution and generation circuits, including the direct connection of the Chenche Solar Park, as well as the Hidroprado and regional distribution circuits.
The project also included the installation of new transformers for distribution and auxiliary services, as well as a centralized control, communications and measurement system that improves the monitoring and operation of the entire infrastructure.
A sustainable and profitable project
According to Juan Camilo López Llano, CEO of Erco, “the Chenche Solar Project demonstrates Erco Energía's commitment to continue expanding the installed capacity of solar plants in the country and its ongoing interest in innovating with the installation of energy storage systems.”