Hitachi Energy wins order to connect one of Latin America's largest wind farms to the grid

Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all, announced that it has been awarded an order by the engineering and construction company, Sigdo Koppers S.A., to connect one of Latin America's largest wind farms to the power grid owned by Colbún, the Chile-based company.

With 812 MW and a generation equivalent to the consumption of more than 700,000 homes, the Horizonte project is one of the largest wind farms under construction in Latin America and when it begins to operate will be one of the largest in the world. Located 130 kilometers northeast of Taltal, in the Antofagasta Region, the Horizonte project contemplates an investment of around US$900 million, the installation of 140 wind turbines in the area and an annual average generation of 2,400 GWh. Operations are planned to begin in 2024.

"Our vision is to build around 4,000 MW of renewable energy by the end of the decade. But in order to generate a safe and competitive energy transition, it is also important to advance in the enabling conditions for this process, focusing on strengthening the transmission system and having a regulatory framework that allows significant investment in energy storage," added Carlos Briso, Colbún's Project Manager.

The project was approved by the Antofagasta Environmental Commission, estimating that it will increase the regional wind power generation capacity by 70%. 

Hitachi Energy will provide a state-of-the-art grid connection solution, including control and protection systems, mission-critical communications solutions through its FOX615 system and a high-voltage power grid, to ensure that power flows safely, reliably and with maximum availability into the national transmission system. The solution includes Hitachi Energy's pioneering technologies and unique system integration capabilities, extensive engineering expertise and local grid code requirements. This enables Hitachi Energy to design and deliver complete solutions with exceptional levels of reliability that are critical for these types of applications.

Hitachi Energy is one of the leading integrators of renewable power plants, both globally and in Latin America. In Chile and Brazil alone, Hitachi Energy has connected more than 6 gigawatts and 8 gigawatts respectively of renewable power plants to the grid, equivalent to more than half of the countries' installed base.