Statkraft has inaugurated three wind farms in the O’Higgins Region of Chile.
The wind farms, with a combined capacity of over 100MW, are the company’s first in Chile, where it has ambitious plans to develop and operate renewable energy.
Statkraft’s executive vice president international Ingeborg Dårflot said: “As Statkraft’s first wind farm in Chile, it’s also an important milestone for our activities in the country.
“It will help meet the region’s energy needs in a sustainable way and create positive ripple effects for the local community.”
Dårflot attended the inauguration ceremony, together with the Chilean Minister of Energy Diego Pardow, the Regional Minister of Energy Claudio Martínez, and Norway’s Ambassador in Chile Per Anders Nilsen.
The wind farms, named Cardonal, Manantiales, and Los Cerrillos, represent an investment of $148m and feature 19 wind turbines of the latest technology.
They will contribute 330GWh of clean energy annually to the National Electric System. This is equivalent to the average consumption of 100,000 homes.
“Chile has an extraordinary potential in wind and solar energy,” Dårflot said. “Projects like these strengthen our presence and consolidate our long-term plans in the country.
“We are not only celebrating the opening of a wind farm, but also our collective effort towards a more sustainable future.”
Statkraft, Europe’s largest renewables producer, is focusing its strategy on growth in the Nordics, Europe and South America, where Chile is a key market.
The operation of these wind farms adds to Statkraft Chile’s strategy of being a top-tier renewable energy company in Chile, with projects in hydro, wind and solar at different stages of development and operation throughout the country.