Enel Chile has launched the Don Humberto Energy Plant in the Santiago Metropolitan Region, an 81-MW solar farm combined with a 67-MW battery storage system. The plant is set to generate 188 GWh of clean electricity annually—enough to power 80,000 homes and cut 148,000 tons of CO2 emissions. The BESS system will manage 43 GWh per year, ensuring a stable supply during peak hours and when solar production is low.
​Strengthening Chile’s Energy Grid
This new plant supports Chile’s push for a more resilient energy system. Giuseppe Turchiarelli, CEO of Enel Chile, highlighted the role of battery storage in stabilizing the grid and emphasized the importance of regulatory support for such technologies.
Developed by Enel’s renewables subsidiary, Enel Green Power Chile, the project has already met all safety and generation standards required by the National Electric Coordinator, ensuring its reliable integration into the National Electric System (SEN).
The Don Humberto Energy Plant operates as a hybrid system: its solar farm generates electricity during the day, while the BESS provides energy when solar output is low. This approach improves the reliability of the energy supply and reduces dependence on fossil fuels.
The facility’s 81-MW solar component will inject power into the national grid to support Chile’s renewable transition. Meanwhile, the BESS unit, with a storage capacity of 67 MW for two hours, optimizes energy distribution by shifting supply to peak demand periods.
​Environmental and Economic Benefits
The new plant is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions. By producing 188 GWh of clean energy annually, it will help Chile lower its reliance on fossil fuels. The project will also avoid 148,000 tons of CO2 emissions each year, contributing to the country’s climate goals.
Economically, the facility enhances energy security. Its battery storage allows for better grid management, reducing the need for costly backup power sources and potentially lowering systemic costs to improve electricity affordability.
Enel Chile has been a key player in the country’s clean energy transition, developing multiple solar and wind projects through its Enel Green Power Chile division.
​The Future of Hybrid Energy Plants in Chile
The success of the Don Humberto Energy Plant sets a precedent for future hybrid renewable projects in Chile. Integrating battery storage is becoming a key component of modern energy systems, as it enhances grid flexibility, stabilizes supply, and maximizes the value of renewable generation.
As Chile aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, projects like Don Humberto are crucial for increasing the share of renewables in its energy mix. With ongoing advancements in storage technology, hybrid plants will likely become more common throughout the country.
The Don Humberto Energy Plant marks a milestone for Chile’s renewable energy sector. Enel Chile’s investment in this hybrid technology strengthens the national grid and reduces emissions, while its combination of solar power and battery storage improves both energy security and sustainability.
Hybrid plants will be crucial as Chile continues its transition to clean energy. Enel Chile’s project demonstrates the potential of integrating storage with renewables—an approach set to shape the future of the country’s energy landscape.
