Key words: PV, Plant, Chile ,Sounth American,China Development Bank, Sky Solar,
Sky Solar, one of the world’s only independent international renewable energy developers, investors and IPP’s, recently announced the kick-off of an 18MW solar power plant in Chile’s northern Arica province. Department of Land, Mr. Felipe Andrade signed the formal land grant, completing the final step of the development process for Chile’s first and largest ground-mounted solar PV power station. The Mayor of Arica and Parinacota region, Jose Durana, the Chinese Ambassador to Chile, Mr. Wanming Yang , representatives from China Development Bank as well as other companies involved with the project were all present for the ceremony.
The construction of this 18MW project in Arica is Sky Solar’s first project in Chile. It is also a milestone among an agreement signed by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in June this year outlining a total of 300MW of projects developed by Sky Solar with their partners Sigdo Koppers and China Development Bank. The 18MW Arica project is the first and largest ground mounted grid parity project in Chile and will be developed and constructed 100% with Sky Solar’s own capital.
The Chinese Ambassador to Chile, Mr. Wanming Wang said: “This is the first investment project associated with renewable energy between China and Chile as well as being an important result from the efforts of both parties looking to expand their investment and successful cooperation. This project combines China’s renewable energy advantages with Chile’s strong electricity demand and demonstrates one of the ways in which these two economies can compliment one another and shows the amount of potential for these two countries in the future. I am very confident that this project will provide better service to Chile’s electricity supply in the northern part of Chile, whilst promoting local economic and social development.
According to Mayor Durana, “This project is not only the first project for Sky Solar in Chile, it is the first large-scale ground-mounted project by any company in Chile. Applications have already been started in the tax-free industrial zone, proving that under the leadership of President Sebastian Pinera, we are turning his plans and policies into reality. In particular the tax-free policies offered for industry and mining in Chile’s rural areas”.
Sky Solar’s CEO Amy Zhang pointed out: “as a representative of Sky Solar, and on behalf of our Board Chairman Mr. Weili Su, and all business partners of Sky Solar, I would like to thank all government departments here in Chile that were involved in the success of this project, ProChile offices in China and Chile, particularly in Shanghai, the Chilean Embassy in Beijing, the Chinese Embassy in Chile and of course the regional government of Arica. We would also like to thank Chile Power industry friends and our grid connection partners here in Chile. Many thanks must also go to China Development Bank, and by witnessing this ceremony today all of these partners are helping not only Sky Solar but the global renewable industry realize new energy parity grid-dreams. With today’s ground breaking ceremony, we hope to prove that Sky Solar not only has the desire to develop projects, but the capability and experience to successfully construct, operate and maintain these assets so that we can realize our promises to promote grid-parity new energy projects in Chile and Latin America”.
