Latin America-focused Atlas Renewable Energy, backed by investor group Actis, said that its 244-MWp Sol del Desierto solar farm in Chile has started operations. The power plant, located in the region of Antofagasta, is composed of 582,930 bifacial solar modules installed over a 479-hectare (1,184 acres) plot of land in the commune of Maria Elena. Its full production output is estimated at 714 GWh per year. In 2019, utility company Engie Energia Chile entered into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Atlas to procure 550 GWh of the solar farm’s output annually for 15 years. Atlas said that it has placed a heavy bet on the Chilean market due to the government’s decarbonization policies, which also include unplugging half of Chile’s coal-fired power plants by 2025. Its focus in Chile is on wind, solar and energy storage technologies. The renewables firm has a total of 2,268 MW of contracted projects across Chile, Mexico, Brazil, and Uruguay, according to its count.
Atlas Renewable Energy was founded by a team of executives with a successful track record in implementing numerous renewable energy projects. Bolstered by the support of the Actis Group, a worldwide leader and investor in renewable energy sources. Atlas Renewable Energy has grown into one of the most recognized renewable energy companies in the LATAM region. The company has over 1 GW of early stage to fully operational projects across Latin America. Atlas Renewable Energy has uncompromisingly adhered to rigorous standards in the development, construction, and operation of large PV projects. This methodology aims to ensures the highest level of excellence in the implementation of its strategy in Latin America. Actis is a leading investor in growth markets across Africa, Asia and Latin America that delivers consistent, competitive returns, responsibly, through insights gained from trusted relationships, local knowledge, and deep sector expertise. Founded in 2004, Actis has an unparalleled heritage in growth markets, set within a culture of active ownership and has raised $12bn since inception, operating through 13 offices globally.