Sonnedix announced the start of construction of Sonnedix Meseta de los Andes, a 160MWp solar PV plant located in the commune of Calle Larga, in central Chile’s Valparaiso region.
Sonnedix Meseta de los Andes will be built on a 250-hectare land, becoming the second largest project for the solar IPP – after the recent inauguration of 170MW Sonnedix Atacama solar PV plant in the Atacama Desert – and among other solar PV plants in Chile. The project will have a 220kV transmission line of 15km, connecting to the substation of Los Maquis in the municipality of Los Andes.
During the construction phase Sonnedix will create around 450 direct jobs, promoting gender balance and equal access to professional opportunities, contributing to the social and economic development of the nearby communities.
Once completed, Sonnedix Meseta de los Andes will produce 386,750MWh of clean energy every year, capable of powering more than 180,000 Chilean homes, and avoiding around 160,000 tons of CO2.
“Today, we celebrate this milestone for Sonnedix, which represents the efforts of a purpose-driven team capable of growing and expanding our solar platform despite the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 crisis.” said Carlos Guinand, Executive Chairman of Sonnedix. “This also represents our strong commitment towards our shareholders and stakeholders, to deliver a constant and reliable supply of clean electricity to the market, helping push the energy transition forward”.
Axel Thiemann, CEO of Sonnedix, said: “The start of construction of our second largest solar PV plant in Chile is testament to our long-term commitment to the Chilean market, where we continue to play an active role in helping the country meet its renewable power targets. Beyond that, projects like this allow us to unleash our full potential as a social citizen, ensuring our PV plants have a positive impact in the local communities. We look forward to continue expanding our platform in Chile, and the use of solar energy worldwide, true to our purpose of harnessing the power of the sun to build a bright future.”
Sonnedix currently has more than 4GW of total controlled capacity, with 1.6G in operation and further 1.8GW of development pipeline. The IPP continues actively seeking development and acquisition opportunities across OECD markets.
