BYD Energy Storage System Drives Operation of 221MW Chilean Solar-Plus-Storage Plant, Setting Benchmark for Desert Energy Solutions

Antofagasta, Chile — Latin America’s energy transition has reached a pivotal milestone with the commissioning of the Quillagua Solar-Plus-Storage Plant, the region’s largest hybrid renewable energy facility. Powered by BYD’s cutting-edge energy storage solutions, the 221MW/1,200MWh project, developed by Contour Global, now stands as a model for desert-based renewable energy integration.

Located on the edge of Chile’s solar-rich Atacama Desert, the plant integrates 452,000 bifacial solar panels with 267 BYD MC Cube energy storage systems. At its core lies BYD’s patented CTS (Cell-to-System) technology, which directly integrates blade batteries into modular storage units. This innovation boosts spatial efficiency by 98% and achieves a cell-to-system volume ratio exceeding 33%, while the modular, sandstorm-resistant design ensures reliable operation in extreme temperatures and harsh desert conditions.

The energy storage system enables the plant to deliver 200MW of continuous power for 6.2 hours post-sunset, achieving 24-hour clean energy coverage. “This ‘daylight generation, nighttime supply’ model redefines solar utilization,” explained a project engineer. Currently in final commercial preparations, the facility will soon activate long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs), capitalizing on Chile’s nighttime energy incentives to optimize revenue and slash lifecycle maintenance costs by 40% compared to conventional systems.

Contour Global CEO Antonio Cammisecra highlighted during the inauguration: “The plant’s early commissioning demonstrates BYD’s technical prowess. Its long-cycle battery systems will stabilize grid fluctuations and address solar overproduction during peak daylight hours.” The company is already collaborating with BYD on another project—the 2025-bound Víctor Jara Solar-Plus-Storage Plant in Tarapacá Region.

Industry analysts note that BYD’s success in Chile reflects China’s growing influence in global energy storage markets. The Quillagua project’s desert-adaptive design and cost-efficiency framework offer replicable blueprints for arid regions worldwide. With Chile targeting 70% clean energy by 2040, data from the National Energy Commission shows solar-storage costs have plunged 62% since 2019, driving projected renewable capacity to 35GW by 2030—including 8GWh of energy storage demand.

“This project marks a leap toward Chile’s decarbonization goals,” stated a BYD Latin America executive, revealing plans to capture 30% of the regional energy storage market within three years through ongoing negotiations across South America. As nations accelerate green transitions, BYD’s technology-driven solutions are positioning China as a key architect of tomorrow’s sustainable energy landscape.

Edit by paco