On July 8, 2024, in the presence of national and regional authorities and key players in the energy sector, the largest solar plant in Chile, CEME 1, which is part of the EDF Group's portfolio in Chile, was inaugurated. With a capacity of 480 MW, CEME 1 was built and will be operated by Generadora Metropolitana, a company jointly owned by EDF and AME.
Located seven kilometers from María Elena in the Atacama Desert, CEME 1 has 882,000 high-tech solar panels covering an area of 435 hectares. The plant is expected to generate enough energy to power 500,000 homes and avoid the emission of 280,000 tons of CO2 per year.
Joan Leal, CEO of EDF Chile, said: "CEME 1 is a milestone for Chile and the EDF Group, consolidating a portfolio of projects that support the energy transition, in line with the country's and the company's global carbon neutrality objectives. This project is a success not only for EDF, but also for Generadora Metropolitana, whose team has done a great job in terms of planning and execution".
In line with the EDF Group's project standards, CEME 1 incorporates several innovative features to improve efficiency and sustainability. These include a design optimized for maximum absorption of solar energy throughout the day, efficient land use through a fixed structure with modules facing east and west, and the implementation of a robotic panel cleaning process that will reduce water consumption by up to 90%.
CEME 1 is currently exploring the development of a 1,200 MWh battery project to store the energy produced, increase the efficiency of the plant and provide a more consistent and reliable supply of renewable energy to the electrical system.
Chile's Minister of Energy, Diego Pardow, emphasized that in the country "we have been able to develop government policies that provide certainty to investors so that this type of project can continue to be realized. The inauguration of the CEME 1 photovoltaic project is another step in the transition of our electricity system away from fossil fuels and towards the decarbonization of our energy matrix".
Diego Hollweck, CEO of Generadora Metropolitana, stated that "we are proud to inaugurate the largest photovoltaic farm in Chile, which will contribute clean and efficient energy to the national power grid. CEME 1 is an ambitious and visionary project that stands out not only for its capacity, but also for its technology and efficiency".
With the inauguration of CEME 1, the EDF Group continues to strengthen its presence in the country with an installed capacity of 1,420 MW, including 770 MW from renewable sources.
