Abengoa, a Spanish multinational firm, has won approval from authorities of the Chilean Environmental Service to develop a solar thermal plant in Atacama Desert.
The project uses molten salts tower technology and will have an installed capacity of 110 MW.
Atacama Desert is the region with the highest levels of solar radiation in the world.
The Evaluation and Review Committee unanimously voted to approve the project after verifying the absence of any type of negative impact during the construction and operations phases.
Experts took into account issues such as use of the land, water, air, emissions and waste, as well as any other aspect that could generate an environmental impact in the area where the plant will be constructed.
Cerro Dominador will be the first solar-thermal plant for direct electricity production in South America. It is also the first non-conventional renewable energy plant to serve as a base load power plant thanks to its production stability and reliability.
The project will have a thermal storage system designed and developed by Abengoa, which will enable electricity to be produced for about 18 hours without the need for a solar power resource.
This will enable it to supply electricity in a stable way, 24 hours a day, and to respond to all demand periods for electricity consumption.
The project will generate an average of 700 direct jobs, requiring up to 2,000 workers. Around 50 stable jobs will be created once the project comes into commercial operation.