Diego Hollweck, CEO of Generadora Metropolitana, said Dune Plus is a major undertaking for the company due to its scale, technical requirements and international financing. He noted that the project fits within the firm’s development plans and storage capacity growth.
Cesar Norton, president of AME, said the launch highlights Generadora Metropolitana’s ability to execute large projects integrating storage and renewable generation, while also indicating Chile’s expanding adoption of utility-scale storage infrastructure.
Joan Leal, CEO of EDF Power Solutions Chile, said Dune Plus illustrates the firm’s ability to execute large-scale projects and support key customers such as Codelco in meeting long-term energy requirements.
Scope:
Project integrates two large storage systems totaling 509 MW/2,036 MWh with a solar plant across a unified 186-hectare site.
Impact:
The project configuration has enabled long-duration delivery for Codelco and supported coordinated operation within Antofagasta’s grid.
Project overview
Chile-based power generation company, Generadora Metropolitana, owned by AME and EDF Power Solutions, began construction of the Dune Plus project in María Elena in Chile’s Antofagasta Region. The initiative combines the Dune and La Pampina assets into a unified development incorporating long-duration storage and photovoltaic generation.
Technical capacity
The project includes 406 battery containers, more than 297,000 solar panels and over 150 transformers across a 186-hectare area.The Dune facility includes a 333.5 MW/1,334 MWh storage system with four-hour duration. La Pampina adds a 186 MWp solar plant and a 175.5 MW/702 MWh storage unit configured for four-hour operation. Dune Plus provides 509 MW/2,036 MWh combined storage capacity. A 33-kV electrical room links the assets to CEME1, enabling coordinated operation.
Financing structure
The project secured non-recourse financing from a group of international banks. The structure includes a term loan and related guarantees provided by BNP Paribas Securities Corp., Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, MUFG Bank, Société Générale, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. Banco de Crédito e Inversiones also provided a VAT loan. This financing framework supports project development with long-term funding aligned to the operating horizon of the integrated storage and generation capacity.
A 15-year agreement for 1,000 GWh per year with Codelco, a major mining company in Chile’s copper sector will be supported by the energy generated and stored through Dune Plus. The project configuration enables consistent delivery within the National Electric System. Its combined photovoltaic and storage assets are configured to manage variability and extend supply windows. These capabilities support system flexibility in a region with notable industrial demand.
Dune Plus supports Chile’s grid-connected storage deployment by integrating two large battery systems with utility-scale solar capacity. The infrastructure is configured for extended-duration operation within the Antofagasta Region. It also adds new capacity to the national grid for contracted industrial demand.