Batteries & Storage
Energy storage and backup systems.
Chile's lithium exports rise 165% to US$5.17 billion through October; copper reaches US$54.66 billion
Chile's lithium exports totaled US$5,171 million between January and October 2026, up 165%, and copper reached US$54,655 million at an average price of US$6.14 per pound, according to Subrei. Mining shipments grew 22.1% and goods exports topped US$100 billion for the first time.
Atlas Renewable Energy files a US$160 million Kimal line and battery plan for Alfa Solar in Chile
Atlas Renewable Energy submitted for environmental review a modification of its Alfa Solar plant in María Elena that adds a 2x220 kV line to the Kimal substation, a step-up substation and a BESS Sur battery system, with an investment of US$160 million.
Power bank: how many charges it gives, which to choose, flight rules and prices in Chile
A 20,000 mAh power bank stores 74 Wh and charges a 5,000 mAh phone about 2.5 times, because roughly a third is lost in conversion. Prices in Chile from CLP 8,990, what a recharge costs and the new 2026 rules for taking one on a plane.
Chile's CNE expects 12,394 MWh of new batteries in 2027, and storage would top 20,000 MWh
Chile's National Energy Commission projects that 12,394 MWh of storage will connect to the power system in 2027, mostly BESS batteries. March alone accounts for 3,785 MWh. At September 30 there were 3,702 MW of storage under construction and 3,459 MW in testing.
The largest flow battery in the world 2026: ranking of the biggest flow batteries
The world's largest flow battery is in Jimusar, Xinjiang (China): 200 MW and 1,000 MWh, in full operation since 31 December 2025 with Rongke Power technology. Ranking of the largest in operation, map and projects under construction.
Chile's power prices below US$5 now cover 75% of early-morning hours, and batteries over 80% of the evening peak
In October 2026, 74.7% of early-morning hours north of the Charrúa node had marginal costs below US$5/MWh, up from 2.8% a year earlier, according to Aclai. Batteries already supply over 80% of the energy in the evening peak, according to Acera and SPEC.
El Pelícano Solar places US$129 million in notes for an 82 MW battery, Chile's first BESS financed in the capital markets
El Pelícano Solar Company, an Actis subsidiary, placed US$129.58 million in senior secured notes at 7.578%, maturing in 2044, to build an 82 MW, four-hour BESS next to its solar plant in La Higuera, which supplies the Santiago Metro.
Largest vanadium producers in the world 2026: country ranking, reserves and role in flow batteries
China produced 82,000 tonnes of vanadium in 2025, about three quarters of the world total of 110,000, according to the USGS. Russia is second and Brazil overtook South Africa for third place. Ranking, reserves, prices and its use in flow batteries.
Albemarle triples its EBITDA on US$20 lithium and Chile's lithium payments to Corfo top US$1.1 billion
Albemarle earned US$296.8 million in the third quarter of 2026 and its adjusted EBITDA rose 186%, with a realized price of US$20.02 per kilo of lithium carbonate equivalent. In Chile, payments from Novandino and Albemarle to Corfo exceeded US$1.1 billion between January and September.
Energy storage in Chile reaches 11.3 GW across operating, testing and under-construction batteries
Chile has 11.3 GW of energy storage across systems in operation (3.4 GW), in testing (3.1 GW) and under construction (5.1 GW), according to renewables association ACERA. 84% is in the north, about 20 GW have environmental approval and batteries already cover around 80% of the growth in peak-hour energy.
Largest battery gigafactory in the world 2026: ranking of the biggest cell factories
CATL's Ningde hub in China ended 2025 with 330 GWh of annual cell capacity, and its Yibin base reached 175.8 GWh. Ranking of the world's largest battery gigafactories, including Hungary, Poland and the United States, and why China holds more than 80% of capacity.
Grenergy files Pampa del Desierto for environmental review: 518 MWp of solar and 3,010 MWh of batteries in María Elena
Spain's Grenergy has submitted the Pampa del Desierto photovoltaic park in María Elena, Chile, to environmental review: 518.7 MWp of solar, a 430 MW / 3,010 MWh battery system with seven hours of storage and an estimated investment of US$520 million. It will connect to the Kimal substation.
The largest pumped storage power station in the world 2026: ranking of the biggest plants
The largest pumped storage power station in the world is Fengning, in China, with 3,600 MW and about 40 GWh of storage. It overtook Bath County (United States, 3,003 MW). Ranking of the top 10, how fast pumped storage is growing worldwide and what is happening in Chile after Paposo was cancelled.
EnAccess files a 400 MWh battery and a 220 kV line in Pudahuel and Lampa for environmental review, US$190 million
EnAccess submitted the Lo Aguirre-Peralillo project for environmental review in Chile: a 100 MW / 400 MWh lithium battery, a new substation and an 11.36 km, 220 kV line in Pudahuel and Lampa, with an investment of US$190 million and 14 months of construction.
Colbún scraps the US$1.4 billion Paposo pumped storage plant as batteries take over
Colbún has ended development of the Paposo pumped storage plant in Taltal, Chile, a project of up to 800 MW and US$1.4 billion that had been suspended since 2024. The company cites the growth of batteries and weak electricity demand growth.
Huatacondo solar park and its battery have been offline for two months after a reported cyberattack
The Huatacondo solar park, of about 100 MW, and its 98 MW / 312 MWh battery system in Tarapacá, Chile, have been off the grid since August 27, when the operator reported a cyberattack. What is known, what is not and what the draft cybersecurity standard says.
Batteries in Chile: grid operator scheduling may be limiting their revenue, and DS 32 gives until 2029 to change it
An analysis by consultancy Vinken warns that batteries in Chile discharge on a schedule that does not adapt in time: on 12 and 13 October the real price in their discharge hours was US$2.8/MWh versus US$41/MWh expected. Supreme Decree 32 sets 24- and 36-month deadlines for new rules.
Chile has 32 battery projects under construction and could reach its 6,000 MW storage goal in early 2027
Chile's Ministry of Energy counts 32 battery projects under construction, with 3,702 MW, 15,398 MWh and US$3.172 billion: more investment than all power plants being built. With 3,123 MW operating and 3,459 MW in testing, the 6,000 MW goal would be met in early 2027.
Verano Energy secures US$187 million for Observatorio: 123 MWp of solar and a 600 MWh battery in Chile
Verano Energy closed US$187 million in green loans, coordinated by MUFG with support from Scotiabank, to build Observatorio in Marchigüe, O'Higgins: 123 MWp of solar and a Sungrow battery of about 600 MWh. It will sell its power to Copec Emoac and targets operation in 2028.
Batteries now supply 5.1% of Chile's electricity and overtake four renewable technologies
Battery systems injected 5.1% of the power system's energy between January and September 2026 and 7.9% in September, more than biomass, geothermal and small hydro plants, according to ACERA.
Chile's antitrust regulator FNE clears takeover of AES, owner of AES Andes, by BlackRock's GIP and EQT
Chile's National Economic Prosecutor's Office cleared without conditions the purchase of AES Corporation by BlackRock's GIP and EQT, a US$33.4 billion deal. It reviewed generation, transmission, batteries and data centres in Chile.
Chile's Estela Solar plant, formerly Aurora, hits 201 MW in tests and its 935 MWh battery delivers 919 MWh
Test reports published by Chile's grid operator show Promigas' Estela Solar plant in Pozo Almonte reached 201.08 MW net and that its 187 MW, 935 MWh battery delivered 919 MWh over five hours.
The largest battery in the world 2026: ranking of the biggest energy storage systems
The largest battery system in operation belongs to the Saudi Electricity Company, at 7.8 GWh across three sites. At a single location, Khavda (India) reached 6.63 GWh. Ranking of the world's largest batteries in 2026 and where Chile stands.
Largest lithium producing countries 2026: world ranking and where Chile stands
Australia is the world's largest lithium producer, with 92,000 tonnes in 2025, followed by China (62,000) and Chile (56,000), according to the USGS. Global output grew 31%. Country ranking and reserves.
Chile's lithium exports nearly triple to USD 4.745 billion between January and September 2026
Chile exported USD 4.745 billion of lithium from January to September 2026, almost three times as much as a year earlier and 98% more than in all of 2025. Carbonate, sulphate and hydroxide, destinations and context.
Chile has 12,188 MW of projects waiting to connect to the grid, and BESS batteries make up 62%, according to the grid operator
Chile's grid operator reported 320 projects in the connection process, with more than 12,188 MW. BESS battery systems account for 7,561 MW, concentrated in Antofagasta. Figures by technology and region.
Lithium reserves in the world: 2026 ranking by country and where Chile stands
Chile has the world's largest lithium reserves: 9.2 million tonnes, 25% of the total, according to USGS 2026. Ranking of reserves, production, resources and how many years they would last.
Grenergy closes US$457 million for Algarrobal and Palmas: 446 MW of solar and 1.8 GWh of batteries in Chile
Grenergy closed its largest financing: US$457 million for 446 MW of solar and 1.8 GWh of storage in Chile. Algarrobal, the fifth phase of Oasis de Atacama, adds 242 MW and 1.5 GWh.
Chile's CNE approves 2026 urgent transmission works, including a 200 MW battery at Tineo
The CNE approved two urgent works worth US$77 million: a 200 MW / 400 MWh battery at the Tineo substation and a line upgrade in La Araucanía. What they are and why they matter.
Chile surpasses 3,000 MW of battery storage, and October is one of the busiest months for new projects
Battery storage almost doubled in Chile in 2026: 3,116 MW operating as of August, according to ACERA, and a pipeline close to 40 GW. Figures and what they mean.
Emergency solar kit: what it is and which one to choose for a power outage
A 500 to 900 Wh portable power station costs between CLP 419,990 and CLP 639,200 in Chile. How many hours it runs a router, phones or a fridge, and how to choose one.