Name of the Project
Salares Norte hybrid solar and thermal power plant.

Location
At the Salares Norte gold mine, situated 4 500 m above sea level in the Andes mountain range, in Chile.

Project Owner/s
Gold Fields.

Project Description
The project envisages the construction of a 25.9 MW hybrid solar and thermal power solution for the Salares Norte openpit mine.

The project will provide 16 MW of thermal energy and 9.9 MW of solar photovoltaic energy.

The hybrid system will comprise diesel gensets and solar power units, optimised for off-grid applications and ready to meet the extreme wind conditions to which these units will be subjected.

The gensets will each deliver 772 kW and will incorporate spinning and cold reserve units to efficiently manage peaks in demand.

This diesel generation system will be integrated with solar units, which, once installed, will provide 9.9 MW of cost- and emission-free power.

The project will prevent the emission of 104 000 t of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Not stated.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Aggreko signed a contract with Gold Fields in January 2021 to provide a hybrid solution for the gold mine.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Aggreko (hybrid power solution).

Contact Details for Project Information
Gold Fields, email investors@goldfields.com.