AES Andes Starts Up 171-MW Solar Farm With Battery Storage in Chile

AES Andes says its Andes Solar III project has entered commercial operation in northern Chile, marking the startup of a 171-MW solar farm paired with a 171-MW battery energy storage system.

Local coverage on April 14 reported that AES Chile had started operations of the plant in the Antofagasta region. Earlier, AES Andes said in January that Andes Solar III and the related Bolero BESS project were being commissioned for commercial operation in the first half of 2026.

The project is part of AES Andes’ broader renewable hub in northern Chile and adds another hybrid solar-plus-storage asset to the company’s portfolio. Hybrid projects like this are designed to provide electricity when the sun is not shining by using batteries to shift generation later in the day.

The reporting available at publication time did not include a separate formal commissioning notice with more operating details. It was also not fully clear whether Bolero BESS entered commercial operation on the same schedule as Andes Solar III.