POWERCHINA Launches CEME1 Solar Project in Chile to Advance Clean Energy
POWERCHINA has launched the CEME1 project in Chile, the nation’s largest solar facility, to promote clean energy. Situated in the Atacama Desert, it boasts 480 megawatts capacity and aims to cut carbon emissions while supporting regional environmental goals. This project is seen as a model for similar future initiatives.
In a significant move for clean energy in Latin America, Power Construction Corporation of China, commonly known as POWERCHINA, has officially launched its CEME1 photovoltaic project in Chile. As the largest single-entity solar power facility in the country, its opening coincides with the United Nations World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, symbolizing a crucial step in sustainable energy development and environmental protection.
Located in the Atacama Desert, famously regarded as the “driest nonpolar desert in the world,” the CEME1 project is approximately 1,300 kilometers from Santiago, the nation’s capital. With an impressive total installed capacity of 480 megawatts across roughly 400 hectares, this project is more than just a solar power plant; it includes a photovoltaic field, a boosting station, and a transmission line of 9.2 kilometers.
Apart from providing a solution to climate change issues, the project is aligned with global undertakings to prevent land degradation. As over 40 percent of the world’s land faces degradation and droughts worsen, large-scale renewable initiatives like CEME1 showcase how energy and ecological resilience can work together.
The construction faced considerable challenges due to the harsh conditions of the Atacama Desert, which are characterized by extreme heat, dryness, intense ultraviolet radiation, and frequent sandstorms. However, the POWERCHINA team, exhibiting admirable organization and resolve, navigated these hurdles through comprehensive resource management and optimized construction protocols.
Now operational, CEME1 is predicted to generate around 2,863 megawatt-hours of clean electricity daily, able to power about 400,000 households. In terms of environmental impact, this project is set to decrease carbon dioxide emissions by around 280,000 tons each year and contribute to the nation’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
This achievement is indicative of POWERCHINA’s strategic efforts in renewable energy and its strength in handling large projects under difficult conditions. The CEME1 project has become a benchmark for the company’s high-quality international projects, showcasing advanced technologies for constructing resilient solar stations that are resistant to both wind and seismic activity, vital for the earthquake-prone region.
The innovative design, featuring dome-type fixed structures, has maximized land usage while also minimizing road maintenance needs, effectively enhancing overall power generation capacity. Local stakeholders have expressed confidence in POWERCHINA’s capabilities, particularly following the successful delivery of the project.
Importantly, the CEME1 project has positively impacted the local job market, creating about 1,000 direct jobs at the peak of construction. Moreover, POWERCHINA has made efforts to engage with local communities by providing educational and training programs, thus fostering the growth of expertise in Chile’s burgeoning renewable energy sector.
The launch of the CEME1 photovoltaic project by POWERCHINA in Chile marks a pivotal step toward clean energy and land rejuvenation. Not only does it bolster Chile’s move for carbon neutrality by 2050, but it also presents a model for overcoming environmental challenges through sustainable energy practices. With a significant positive impact on local employment and community initiatives, CEME1 stands as an example of successful green energy development.
Original Source: www.wvnews.com
