PROJECT

Projects

Environmental & Social Review Summary

Project Number

33191

Company Name

Amanecer Solar SpA

Date ESRS Disclosed

May 20, 2013

Country

Chile

Region

Latin America and the Caribbean

Last Updated Date

Jan 21, 2023

Environmental Category

B - Limited

Status

Completed

Previous Events

Approved : Jun 26, 2013
Signed : Aug 13, 2013
Invested : Sep 23, 2013

Sector

Solar - Renewable Energy Generation

Industry

Infrastructure

Department

Regional Industry INF LAC & EUR

Project Description

The proposed project involves the installation of an approximately 100MW solar photovoltaic plant on a site of approximately 306 hectares within the Atacama Desert in the Copiapo municipality in Chile’s Atacama Region, at an altitude of 1,165 meters above sea level. Access to the project is granted through State road C-309, a further path will be implemented to access the exact plant terrain. The nearest population settlement, Copiapo, is approximately 28 km from the project site.

The project will be developed by SunEdison Chile Construction Limitada (the “Contractor”) which is a wholly own subsidiary of a world class solar integrator and existing IFC client, Sun Edison LLC (“SunEdison”). The ground mounted photovoltaic crystalline modules will be provided by SunEdison parent company, MEMC. The photovoltaic modules to be installed will convert sunlight to DC (Direct Current) electricity. The DC power will be sent to an Inverter to convert the DC power into AC (Alternate Current) power which will then be fed into the Sistema Interconectado Central (SIC). The project is expected to have an annual generation capacity of up to 270 GWh based on an estimated energy yield (post availability of 99%) of approximately 2,700 kWh/kWp. SunEdison will build the project through an EPC contract with the Company.

As part of the project, the Company will install an approximately 9 kilometers transmission line (220 kV) to transport the generated electricity to the 220 kV Cardones – Cerro Negro Norte main grid transmission line, heading South. The anticipated length is of 370 m and the expected width will be 23 m on each side of the line. The right-of-way (r-o-w) of the transmission line is located to the southwest of the Project site on government land. The company is currently processing the r-o-w use with the Ministry of Bienes Nacionales which is in charge of public lands in Chile.

Overview of IFC's Scope of Review

IFC reviewed the Amanecer Solar SpA (the “Company”)’s Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS), and Social capabilities and its ability to construct and operate the project in accordance with the Chilean regulatory requirements and IFC’s Performance Standards. Specific items reviewed included: (a) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) dated November 2012 and (b) Site Specific Safety Plans. IFC conducted a visit to the proposed project site and conducted interviews with the Company’s project management team including EHS staff in March 2013.

E & S Project Categorization and Applicable Standard

Environmental and Social Mitigation Measures

Stakeholder Engagement

Broad Community Support

Environmental & Social Action Plan