Overview
El Romero is a 196 MW solar PV plant in Chile's Atacama Region, one of the largest solar facilities in Latin America. It supplies renewable energy to the national grid under Chile's ambitious clean energy targets.
El Romero is a large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plant located in the Atacama Region of Chile, near the city of Vallenar. With a capacity of 196 MW, it ranks among the largest solar installations in Latin America. The facility benefits from the region's exceptionally high solar irradiance, making it a key contributor to Chile's renewable energy portfolio. The plant operates under Chile's robust renewable energy framework, which includes a target of 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. Solar PV technology dominates Chile's renewable expansion, supported by a competitive auction system and net billing regulations. El Romero's scale and location in the Atacama Desert exemplify the country's strategy to leverage its natural solar资源优势. Environmentally, El Romero displaces fossil fuel generation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollutants. The plant's arid desert location minimizes land-use conflicts, though it requires water for panel cleaning, sourced sustainably. Its integration into the Central Interconnected System (SIC) supports grid stability and Chile's energy transition goals.
Environmental context
The Atacama Desert, where El Romero is located, is one of the driest regions on Earth, offering exceptional solar resource but posing challenges for water use. The plant's solar PV technology has minimal visual impact in this remote area, and the site avoids sensitive ecosystems. However, large-scale solar farms can affect local wildlife, such as birds and reptiles, through habitat alteration. Chile's environmental regulations require impact assessments and mitigation measures for such projects.
Frequently asked questions
El Romero is located in the Atacama Region of Chile, near the city of Vallenar, approximately 600 km north of Santiago.
El Romero has a capacity of 196 megawatts (MW), making it one of the largest solar PV plants in Latin America.
The plant is owned and operated by a consortium led by Acciona Energia, a Spanish renewable energy company.
Chile's renewable energy framework includes a 70% renewable electricity target by 2030, carbon neutrality by 2050, and a competitive auction system for long-term power purchase agreements.
El Romero feeds electricity into Chile's Central Interconnected System (SIC), helping to diversify the energy mix and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.