Overview
Uribe is a 50 MW solar PV facility located near Antofagasta, Chile. Operational and contributing to the country's renewable energy capacity.
Uribe is a solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant located in the Antofagasta Region of Chile, near the city of Antofagasta. With a capacity of 50 megawatts (MW), it operates as a medium-scale solar facility within Chile's rapidly expanding renewable energy sector. The plant is operational and contributes to the region's clean energy generation. Chile benefits from one of the highest solar irradiance levels in the world, particularly in the Atacama Desert region where Uribe is situated. The country has set ambitious renewable energy targets under its National Energy Policy, aiming for 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. Solar PV plants like Uribe play a key role in meeting these goals, supported by a regulatory framework that includes net billing and renewable energy certificates. The facility's output feeds into the Central Interconnected System (SIC) or the Northern Interconnected System (SING), helping to diversify Chile's energy mix and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Solar PV plants in this region also benefit from high capacity factors due to consistent sunlight, making them economically viable and environmentally significant in displacing carbon emissions.
Environmental context
The Antofagasta Region features the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, with extremely high solar radiation. Solar PV installations here have minimal water usage and low land-use impact compared to other energy sources. However, large-scale solar farms can affect local desert ecosystems and require careful siting to avoid sensitive habitats. The region's grid integration challenges are being addressed through transmission expansion and energy storage projects.
Frequently asked questions
The Uribe solar PV plant is located in the Antofagasta Region of Chile, near the city of Antofagasta, in the Atacama Desert.
Uribe has a capacity of 50 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale solar photovoltaic facility.
Yes, the Uribe solar plant is currently operational and generating electricity.
Chile's renewable energy sector is supported by the National Energy Policy, which targets 70% renewable electricity by 2030, along with net billing schemes and renewable energy certificates.
Solar PV plants like Uribe reduce greenhouse gas emissions, have low water consumption, and utilize abundant solar resources, contributing to Chile's decarbonization goals.