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.

Enhancing Solar Production with Storage

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.

Boosting Chile’s Clean Energy Transition

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 the228 MW Celda Solar Battery Storage Project  reinforcing the country’s emergence as a renewables leader.

Project Fact Sheet: Malgarida Solar PV Plant BESS

• Project Name: Malgarida Solar PV Plant Battery Storage System
• Location: Atacama Desert, Chile
• Developer: ACCIONA Energía
• Battery Capacity: 1 GWh (1,000 MWh)
• Power Output: 200 MW
• Solar Plant Size: 238 MWp
• Technology: Utility‑scale lithium‑ion BESS
• Supplier: CATL (next‑generation batteries)
• Status: Under construction
• Expected Commissioning: Early 2027
• Role: Store and dispatch solar energy outside daylight hours
• Benefits: Enhanced renewable integration, reduced fossil reliance, grid stability

Project Team — Malgarida 1 GWh BESS

Project Owner / Developer

• ACCIONA Energía – Spanish renewable energy developer leading the BESS project integrated with its Malgarida 238 MWp solar PV plant. The system will be one of the largest utility‑scale storage systems in Latin America once commissioned.

Battery Supplier / Technology Partner

• CATL – Signed a contract to supply the 1 GWh battery storage system for the project, providing advanced battery technology to the Malgarida solar site.

Engineering & Integration

• ACCIONA Energía’s internal engineering / project execution teams – Responsible for detailed design integration, site engineering, and installation management as part of ACCIONA’s delivery scope. (Common in developer‑led BESS projects; not separately published for this site)

Grid & Offtake Stakeholders

• Chile’s Electric Grid Operators (e.g., National Grid and regulatory authorities) – Work with ACCIONA to ensure grid integration, dispatch schedules, and compliance with local grid codes for energy storage. (Typical for grid projects in Chile)