Metlen Energy & Metals Secures Major BESS Contracts in Chile

Greek developer Metlen Energy & Metals has secured EPC contracts for over 2.5GWh of battery energy storage and 190.5MWp of solar PV in Chile, with projects expected to complete by Q1 2026. Additionally, Metlen is developing the Mesembria project, which has a capacity of 1,607MWh. The demand for solar-plus-storage solutions grows due to curtailment issues, though financial and regulatory challenges remain.

Metlen Energy & Metals, a Greek renewables developer, has successfully secured three engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts for battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Chile. These agreements encompass more than 2.5GWh of BESS and an additional 190.5MWp of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity. The corresponding projects are anticipated to be finalized no later than the first quarter of 2026.

In conjunction with these contracts, Metlen is also developing its own BESS portfolio in Chile, specifically the Mesembria project, which is set to provide a capacity of 1,607MWh and is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2025. A recent Wood Mackenzie report underscored the rising trend of solar-plus-storage projects in both Brazil and Chile, attributing this growth to increased curtailment and transmission challenges in these regions.

The need for co-locating BESS with solar PV systems has been termed an “absolute necessity.” Alejandro McDonough, from Wärtsilä ES&O, noted this in a conversation with Energy-storage-news, emphasizing its significance for current and future projects in Chile. Furthermore, the recent Energy Storage Summit Latin America underscored the pivotal role of such technology in addressing Chile’s surging curtailment challenges, which saw a historic 6TWh of solar PV and wind capacity curtailed in 2024, exacerbating issues from the previous year.

Despite the potential for growth, uncertainties remain, particularly regarding financial and regulatory frameworks necessary for BESS proliferation in Chile and the broader Latin American Caribbean region. Numerous countries face challenges related to the establishment of robust regulations and policies to support the advancement of energy storage solutions.

In summary, Metlen Energy & Metals has made significant strides in the Chilean renewables sector by securing EPC contracts for extensive battery storage projects and solar capacity. With the Mesembria project and favorable market dynamics indicated by reports, the necessity for co-locating BESS with solar energy is evident. However, unresolved financial and regulatory issues pose challenges to the expansion of BESS in the region, necessitating attention to this critical area for future growth.

Original Source: www.energy-storage.news