Estepa Solar redefines energy supply: 24/7 clean energy for Codelco and storage for Colbún
The energy infrastructure, located in María Elena, Chile, combines 215 MW of solar with 418 MW of batteries — equivalent to 1,672 MWh of storage — and will generate close to 600 GWh per year, equivalent to the consumption of more than 250,000 homes.
With the Estepa project, Atlas consolidates its position as one of the leading battery operators in the country and in Latin America.
Miami, October 12, 2026 — Atlas Renewable Energy has unveiled Estepa Solar, its new solar-plus-storage plant in the municipality of María Elena, in the Antofagasta Region, operating under a model that is uncommon in the market: a single piece of infrastructure serving two clients with different needs at the same time. For Codelco, one of the world’s largest copper producers, the Estepa Project supplies a PPA with 24-hour consumption backed by renewable energy; and for Colbún, one of the country’s leading generators, it makes available battery storage capacity that the company manages according to the requirements of its portfolio and of the system.
The design of the Estepa project starts from one premise: large consumers are no longer looking for a standard energy contract, but for solutions tailored to their operating profile.
- Codelco — 24/7 supply: a hybrid solution combining photovoltaic generation and batteries, backed by a long-term contract, that allows the miner to count on renewable energy at night as well, for an operation that never stops.
- Colbún — storage as a service: a standalone battery system under a long-term contract, through which Colbún uses the storage capacity to charge energy during the hours of greatest solar availability and inject it when the system needs it most.
The solution arrives at a key moment for the electricity system. High solar penetration in the north of the country creates hours of oversupply during the day and curtailment of renewable energy, while industrial demand — particularly from mining — remains constant around the clock. Large-scale storage makes it possible to shift that energy into the night, reduce curtailment, and bring stability to the grid.
“Estepa shows that a single piece of infrastructure can respond to very different needs. A miner operating 24 hours a day needs certainty of supply; a generator needs flexibility to manage its portfolio. Our job is to understand each client’s operation and design the solution — whether generation, storage, or both — that best fits it. That capacity to adapt is what the industry demands today, and what we want to keep bringing to other productive sectors in the country.”
— Alfredo Solar, Regional Manager for Chile and the Southern Cone at Atlas Renewable Energy
“Advancing toward increasingly sustainable mining requires reliable, long-term energy solutions, and companies with the experience to respond to the needs of our operations. Our work with Atlas has allowed us to keep moving forward in decarbonizing our electricity mix, incorporating renewable energy and storage to support Codelco’s energy challenges.”
— Francisco Danitz, Corporate Manager of Energy and Water Resources at Codelco
“Colbún seeks to build partnerships and business with companies that share the same principles, values, and standards, in both construction and operation. In this context, we closed the agreement with Atlas for Estepa, a storage project that represents a critical technology for the development of the country’s energy infrastructure. At times, the projects we are building are not enough on their own; we also go out to buy the energy we need for our portfolio, and that is where this partnership comes in.”
— Robinson Cornejo, Deputy Manager of Storage Systems at Colbún
With Estepa, Atlas Renewable Energy advances a portfolio in Chile of 1 GW of solar capacity and 2,472 MWh of storage in operation, distributed across the Quilapilún project, in the Metropolitan Region; Javiera, in Atacama; and Sol del Desierto, BESS del Desierto, and Estepa, in the Antofagasta Region. Its contract portfolio combines 24/7 supply, hybrid solutions, and standalone storage for clients in mining, industry, and the power sector, among them Codelco, Colbún, Copec-EMOAC, and Grupo CAP.
Shared value in María Elena
Alongside its contribution to the electricity system, Estepa was developed with a focus on generating value in the territory. In María Elena, Atlas has driven initiatives in training, employability, education, entrepreneurship, and community resilience. Among them is “Somos Parte de la Misma Energía,” a local talent development program with 93 graduates in its second edition in Chile, with 64% female participation.
Through this program, more than 10% of those trained were hired for the Estepa project. In addition, this presence in the territory has translated into various social investment projects developed together with the community, including the installation of solar totems, astro-tourism sessions, support for women’s entrepreneurship, and a Robotics and STEAM School for boys and girls at the María Elena Winter School.
These initiatives have been possible thanks to collaborative work and the relationship Atlas has built with local authorities, territorial organizations, and the community itself, creating partnerships that make it possible to identify needs and advance projects with local meaning and relevance.
About Atlas Renewable Energy
Atlas Renewable Energy is a leading international clean energy infrastructure provider, with a renewable asset base of more than 10.8 GW. Atlas has specialized in the development, financing, construction, and operation of large-scale renewable energy projects since 2017.
With a strong presence in Latin America, Atlas has an experienced team with broad global expertise in the power and renewable energy markets, as well as a solid track record in ESG and sustainable development. The company’s strategy focuses on helping large corporations and technology partners in their transition to secure clean energy, ensuring reliable solutions that meet their needs and have a positive impact on the communities where it operates.
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