Press Release | Santiago, Chile | 07.12.2022 | 2 min read
The Horizonte wind farm will help Chile take a big step toward its goal of generating 70% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030
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%.
We are delighted to be working closely with Colbún on this prestigious
project, which will make a significant contribution to Chile's renewable energy
and carbon neutrality goals. Our vast experience in connecting wind and solar
farms to the national grid across Latin America will be of great support in
making Chile's electricity system more sustainable, flexible and secure.
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.
Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. We are advancing the world’s energy system to become more sustainable, flexible and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 40,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of approximately $10 billion USD.
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Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society with data and technology. We will solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, under the business structure of Digital Systems & Services, Green Energy & Mobility, Connective Industries and Automotive Systems. Driven by green, digital, and innovation, we aim for growth through collaboration with our customers. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2021 (ended March 31, 2022) totaled 10,264.6 billion yen ($84,136 million USD), with 853 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 370,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com.
