GES BUILDS ENGIE’S FIRST TWO RENEWABLE PROJECTS IN CHILE
GES capacity to provide both wind and photovoltaic solutions has been decisive for the joint awarding of the projects
Engie has relied on GES for the construction in Chile of the Calama Wind Farm (162MW) and the Capricorn Photovoltaic Plant (97MW). These are the first two renewable projects that the utility will build in Chile. The experience of GES in the country and the know-how of the company in the wind farms built for Engie in Mexico have been the best reference to be awarded this important contract. The two have a combined capacity of 259 MW. GES has already begun the detailed engineering on both projects, which will be built over a year.
The Calama Wind Farm (162MW) will be located 12 km away from the city of Calama, also in the region of Antofagasta. GES will be in charge of the engineering and construction of all the infrastructure, both civil and electrical for the evacuation of energy generated by 36 wind turbines of 4.5 MW each with a hub height of 94 meters. GES proposed a foundation solution that allows to raise the height of the wind turbine more than four meters in order to improve the production of the wind farm. The civil works will include the construction of the foundations and platforms for the wind turbines, more than 20 km of roads and the substation building. As for the electrical works, GES will be in charge of the medium voltage network, the elevator substation and the connection with the pre-existing overhead line. The construction works will last twelve months.
Calama is the first wind farm that Engie will build in Chile. GES has previously worked with Engie on Projects Tres Mesas 3 and Tres Mesas 4 in Mexico. In the constant search to add value to the projects in which it is involved, GES will act as integrator of the whole installation in order to provide Engie with all the documentation package for the application for permits and the necessary steps to start the commercial operation of the park.
The Capricornio PV Plant (97MWp) will be located 35 km from the city of Antofagasta, GES will be in charge of the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction), without supplying the main equipment of the solar field, which includes both the interconnection line and the substations. With the peculiarity that GES will elaborate the specifications, supervision of the manufacture and logistics of the equipment. This represents a valuable contribution that will have an impact in the project’s execution deadlines. GES has started the detailed engineering, construction of the project will last for one year.
GES’ capacity as provider of both wind and photovoltaic solutions has been decisive for the joint awarding of the projects. GES is a reference in the renewable sector in the Andean country, where it has built the Conejo photovoltaic plant, which is still among the eight largest photovoltaic plants in the country. As for the wind references, GES’ solvency in the Chilean market is backed by a solid trajectory that began in 2012, when the country started its renewable activity. During these six years, the company has built nine wind farms and installed eight, which represents more than 800 MW.
