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EPS unveils plans to develop 300 MW of solar in Chile

Element Solar Power (EPS) has said it intends to develop 300 megawatts (MW) worth of solar projects in Chile. The company also unveiled plans to open an "interpretive and educational" center in the Atacama Desert.

The educational center will be located in Chile's Atacama desert.

Flickr/Qayum2009

EPS said it will develop ten solar power plants worth 30 MW each in the SING (Sistema Interconectado del Norte Grande, an alternating current power grid), which covers the regions of Arica y Parinacota, Tarapacá and Antofagasta.

According to a statement released, seven of the projects, worth around 210 MW have received environmental permits. The remaining three are expected to be secured in the next few months. "Element Power Solar expects to begin construction of at least five solar plants this year," commented Ivan Furones, chief development officer Europe & Emerging.

Regarding the interpretive and educational center, EPS said it aims to build awareness of sustainable technologies and promote the utilization of renewable energy. The new center is expected to be co-developed with SERNATU, the National Tourism Service of Chile and the municipality of Calama. It will also reportedly be open to other renewable energy developers.

Commenting on the company’s decision to open the center, chairman Paolo Pietrogrande stated, "We at EPS need to make the knowledge of solar energy more accessible, its characteristics more visible,  its benefits more tangible for users, investors and society at large."

No further details were disclosed.