In the heart of Chile’s Atacama Desert lies the country’s largest solar power project, CEME1, built by Power Construction Corporation of China (POWERCHINA). Officially commencing commercial operations in July this year, the project is a major milestone in Chile’s efforts to promote energy transition and achieve its carbon neutrality goals.
Spanning over 400 hectares, the CEME1 project, which was completed in less than three years, boasts an installed capacity of 480 megawatts, with 880,000 photovoltaic panels. A 220 kV step-up substation and approximately 10 kilometers of transmission lines have also been installed.
The facility can provide clean energy to around 500,000 Chilean households annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 280,000 tons.
The project incorporates several innovative features to improve efficiency and sustainability, including a fixed structure adopted for maximum absorption of solar energy throughout the day and efficient land use, and the implementation of a robotic panel cleaning process that will reduce water consumption by up to 90 percent.
“CEME1 is a landmark project in the country’s energy infrastructure development and a testament to progress in its energy transition”, said Luis Felipe Ramos, undersecretary in Chile’s Ministry of Energy.
The project has also had a transformative impact on local communities. Located near Calama, a major city in the region, it created nearly 1,000 direct jobs during construction and provided skills training to workers in areas such as civil engineering, mechanics and electrical work. These initiatives have boosted income levels and offered residents new career opportunities.
In addition to job creation, the project team has undertaken various social responsibility initiatives, including building sanitation facilities, offering free driving lessons for women, and organizing educational tours to promote knowledge about clean energy.
Situated in an area rich in wildlife and archaeological significance, the project prioritized minimizing its environmental and cultural impact. Specialists in wildlife protection and archaeology were engaged to ensure the proper relocation of endemic species and preservation of unearthed artifacts.
Over recent years, China has leveraged its rich experience in clean energy to deepen cooperation with Chile in areas such as energy investment, power transmission and electric vehicles.
Looking ahead, POWERCHINA will remain committed to fostering local development and contributing to Chile’s sustainable future.
(Executive editor: Zhu Zeya)
