AES Andes starts construction on 1,325 MW of renewables, accelerating the energy transition

July 30, 2025

AES Andes is moving forward on its sustainable transformation strategy with two new projects, bringing its total projects under construction to over 2,100 MW, which also includes three other projects that combine renewable generation and energy storage.

In line with its commitment to Chile's energy transition, AES Andes has announced the start of construction on two new renewable generation projects with storage systems in the Antofagasta Region. The projects, which total 1,325 MW, will help the company progress toward a resilient renewable portfolio.

The new projects are called Pampas and Cristales.

The Pampas project will include a wind farm with an installed capacity of 128 MW and a solar photovoltaic (PV) farm with 229 MW. The site will also feature a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of 340 MW. The Cristales project includes a 288 MW solar PV farm and a 340 MW BESS. Together, these initiatives represent a total investment of more than $1.1 billion.

These initiatives are expected to create over 1,400 jobs during the construction phase. This significant increase in the workforce will not only drive economic development in the region but also help create sustainable, high-quality job opportunities for the local community.

Both projects will be able to store energy during periods of high resource availability and then deliver it to the system during times of peak demand, significantly contributing to the security and flexibility of the National Electrical System. Combined, they are expected to generate enough power to meet the annual consumption of over 780,000 Chilean homes.

“Pampas and Cristales are strategic initiatives within our portfolio and will play a key role in providing robust support in terms of energy generation,” said Javier Dib, CEO of AES Andes. “Both projects reinforce our commitment to the country's energy transition and to the Antofagasta Region, where we have invested in developing various sustainable and innovative projects.”

The company has three other projects under construction, also in the Antofagasta region:

• Arenales, a 300 MW standalone BESS.
• Bolero BESS, which will add 146 MW of battery storage to the existing Bolero solar PV project.
• Andes Solar III, a hybrid plant that integrates 171 MW of solar power and a 171 MW BESS to provide continuous energy to the grid.

“With these investments, AES Chile is taking a firm step in the structural transformation of its portfolio, developing renewable and scalable energy solutions while consolidating our position as a leader in energy storage in Latin America,” added Dib. “We are building the infrastructure that Chile needs today for a more sustainable, efficient, and reliable electrical system.”

With these five projects underway, AES Andes is adding over 2,100 MW of installed capacity, a combination of renewable generation and energy storage, positioning the company as a key player in the decarbonization of the Chilean energy sector.

About AES Andes
AES Andes generates and sells energy in Chile, Colombia, and Argentina. The company operates 5,371 MW in South America, along with a large portfolio of renewable energy projects under development. The company is one of the leading power generators in the region, with a diversified portfolio that includes hydroelectric, wind, solar, energy storage, natural gas, and coal-fired plants.

Since the launch of its transformational Greentegra strategy in 2018, AES Andes has taken substantial steps to reduce the emissions intensity of its portfolio. The company has invested over $2.3 billion, which has allowed it to incorporate 2,177 MW of wind, solar, and battery storage capacity.

In Chile, AES and its subsidiaries own and operate 3,599 MW, which includes 1,108 MW of thermal power, 771 MW of hydroelectric, 431 MW of wind, 838 MW of photovoltaic solar, and 451 MW of battery energy storage systems. The company also operates seawater desalination plants and transmission lines. It currently has 2,177 MW of renewable capacity under construction, in addition to a project portfolio of 4,131 MW with an approved RCA (Environmental Qualification Resolution) or undergoing environmental processing.