July 18, 2025

With the increasing share of renewable energies in the matrix, battery energy storage systems (BESS) have become key players in the electrical system. Currently, there are 24 operational projects and 19 under review to obtain construction status.

In recent years, the energy transition towards a more sustainable model has accelerated, driven by the growing integration of renewable energy sources and the ongoing decarbonization process. In this context, battery energy storage has become a key actor in the energy ecosystem.

In their various functions, BESS improve the flexibility and efficiency of the electric system, support renewable energy integration, reduce system costs, and mitigate curtailments, explains Bernardo Severin, head of studies at the Center for Energy Transition (Centra) at the Faculty of Engineering and Sciences of Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez.

He also states that these systems “contribute to the stability and reliability of the electrical grid, regulating frequency—a critical function in failure events, transients, and contingencies—and support system planning, facilitating the retirement of thermal plants and even postponing transmission investments, by applying demand and reducing congestion.”

According to Severin, “although the development of this industry is still incipient—with installations in ancillary services and PMGDs expanding significantly—this accumulated experience lays the groundwork for its progressive scaling at other levels.”

It is for this reason that several generators are already incorporating this technology into their projects. These systems combine solar energy and storage to improve flexibility and supply stability, says Diego Holuigue, general manager of Generadora Metropolitana. “The portfolio of BESS projects has evolved toward a larger scale and greater technological diversity, highlighting the relevance of design for the safety and stability of Chile’s electrical system,” he adds.

Local Progress

In addition to improving system operation, BESS make better use of renewable resources and help strengthen decarbonization goals set by the National Electric Coordinator.

One key benefit is that this technology allows solar and wind energy to be stored during the day and then injected at night, when electricity demand is higher, as explained by the agency. This leads to more efficient use of renewable sources and contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions.

Chile’s National Energy Commission (CNE) has evolved significantly since 2022. That year, five projects were recorded as under construction. This figure increased to eight in 2023, 22 in 2024, and already totals 37 so far in 2025.

Currently, there are 24 operational projects and 19 under review to obtain construction status. Considering projects that are either under review or under construction, most are located in the northern regions—particularly Antofagasta and Atacama. “As of today, the National Electric System has 1.17 MW of installed BESS capacity, and by 2026, this figure is expected to reach 3.6 GW,” the CNE reports.

This accumulated storage capacity is providing greater security and efficiency to the national electric system, especially under conditions of generation oversupply during daylight hours due to the high penetration of photovoltaic solar energy. “Currently, Chile has 1.17 MW of installed capacity in storage systems, equivalent to a cumulative energy capacity of 7.4 GWh. Meanwhile, the total declared storage capacity under construction is 5.6 GWh,” states the Coordinator.