The solar project was inaugurated today, which will generate clean energy 24 hours a day and will contribute to accelerate the decarbonization of Chile.
The solar thermal complex is located in the Antofagasta Region, in the middle of the Atacama Desert, one of the places with the highest solar radiation on the planet.
Cerro Dominador is composed of 10,600 heliostats that reflect the sunlight and concentrate the heat in a receiver located in the central tower, which at 250 meters is the second highest in South America.
Molten salts circulate through this receiver and, after absorbing heat and reaching temperatures of more than 560 degrees, are stored in large tanks to be used later to generate electricity by means of a steam turbine.
Thanks to its innovative storage system, the plant can 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 the emission of approximately 640,000 tons of CO2 per year.