Today was the inauguration of the Cerro Dominador solar project, which will generate clean energy 24 hours a day and contribute to speeding up Chile’s decarbonization.
- The thermosolar complex is located in the Antofagasta Region, in the Atacama Desert, one of the areas with the highest solar radiation in the world.
- Cerro Dominador is made up of 10,600 heliostats that reflect the sun’s light, concentrating its heat in a receiver located in the plant’s central tower. The tower is the second highest building in South America at 250 meters (820 feet).
- Molten salts circulate around the receiver, absorbing heat to reach temperatures of more than 560˚C (1040°F). They are then stored in huge tanks to be used to generate electricity by way of a steam turbine.
- Thanks to its novel storage system, the plant is able to produce energy 24 hours a day, not only during daylight hours.
- The energy generated at Cerro Dominador will be 100% renewable, will supply approximately 380,000 homes and will reduce emissions by around 640,000 tons of CO2 per year.
