Energy storage in Chile now totals 11.3 GW counting systems in operation, in testing and under construction. About 3.4 GW are in commercial operation, 3.1 GW in testing and 5.1 GW under construction, according to a presentation by Ana Lía Rojas, executive director of the Chilean Renewable Energy and Storage Association (ACERA), at the opening of Future Energy Summit Chile 2026, reported by Revista Electricidad on November 2, 2026.
According to Rojas, about 84% of that capacity is in the north, between the Arica y Parinacota and Atacama regions, where solar plants are concentrated. And the pipeline keeps growing: about 20 GW of storage projects have a favourable environmental approval and another 8 GW are under assessment.
Energy storage in Chile by stage
The three reported stages add up to 11.6 GW, slightly more than the 11.3 GW total given in the presentation, a difference probably due to rounding. The report did not give the storable energy in MWh for each stage.
| Stage | Power | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| In operation | 3.4 GW | Already charging and discharging on the grid |
| In testing | 3.1 GW | Construction finished, commissioning with the grid operator |
| Under construction | 5.1 GW | Works under way |
| Reported total | 11.3 GW | 84% between Arica y Parinacota and Atacama |
| With environmental approval | About 20 GW | Approved, construction not started |
| Under environmental assessment | About 8 GW | In the SEIA system |
Source: ACERA, presentation by Ana Lía Rojas at Future Energy Summit Chile 2026, cited by Revista Electricidad on November 2, 2026.
The figures match the pace shown by the Energy Ministry, which at the end of September counted 32 battery projects under construction totalling 3,702 MW, as we detailed in our story on the 6,000 MW battery target. The gap with ACERA's 5.1 GW may reflect the cut-off date and which projects each source counts.
What ACERA's September bulletin shows
ACERA's September statistical bulletin, with data as of October 1, records 3,125 MW of installed storage with 13,555 MWh of capacity. Most of it is attached to solar plants: 2,375 MW and 10,521 MWh. Stand-alone systems add 618 MW and 2,640 MWh, those attached to wind farms 73 MW and 145 MWh, and those at run-of-river hydro plants 60 MW and 249 MWh.
| Installed storage, September 2026 | Power | Energy | Average duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attached to solar plants | 2,375 MW | 10,521 MWh | 4.4 hours |
| Stand-alone | 618 MW | 2,640 MWh | 4.3 hours |
| Attached to wind farms | 73 MW | 145 MWh | 2.0 hours |
| Attached to run-of-river hydro | 60 MW | 249 MWh | 4.2 hours |
| Total | 3,125 MW | 13,555 MWh | 4.3 hours |
Source: ACERA, September 2026 statistics bulletin (table 3). Average duration calculated by Energía Futura: energy divided by power. The gap between the bulletin's 3,125 MW and the presentation's 3.4 GW reflects different cut-off dates.
To put the jump in perspective: the same bulletin records 40,054 MW of total installed capacity in the country, of which 20,941 MW are non-conventional renewables and 12,981 MW solar. On those figures, installed storage equals about 7.8% of total capacity, and storage attached to solar plants about 18% of photovoltaic power, according to an Energía Futura calculation. If the 11.3 GW pipeline enters service, storage would exceed the combined power of all coal and natural gas plants, which today total 7,713 MW.
How batteries are changing grid operation
According to Rojas, batteries already supply about 80% of the growth in energy that covers demand in peak hours, that is, in the evening and at night when solar output falls. They have also reduced the ramps the conventional fleet must cover at sunset and increased their role in primary and secondary frequency control, both upward and downward.
The effect shows in generation. In September, batteries injected 584 GWh, 7.9% of the electricity in the National Electric System and 216.3% more than in September 2025; so far this year they account for 5.1%, according to ACERA's bulletin. They already supply more than biomass, geothermal and small hydro, as we reported in our story on batteries' contribution to the grid.
584 GWh
Energy injected by batteries in September
7.9% of the month's generation
+216.3%
Increase vs. September 2025
3,546 GWh
Renewable energy curtailed in 2026
January-September, -4.6%
Source: ACERA, September 2026 bulletin
View the data as a table
| Energy injected by batteries in September | 584 GWh · 7.9% of the month's generation |
| Increase vs. September 2025 | +216.3% |
| Renewable energy curtailed in 2026 | 3,546 GWh · January-September, -4.6% |
Less curtailment and demand that is not growing
The other effect is on curtailment: solar and wind energy that is lost because there is no demand or transmission to use it. About 6 TWh were curtailed in 2025, according to Rojas, and between January and September 2026 curtailment reached 3,546 GWh, 4.6% less than in the same period of 2025, according to ACERA's bulletin, which takes the figure from the National Electric Coordinator. Rojas attributed the drop to storage and a wetter year.
The challenge she raised is demand: electricity consumption did not grow in 2025 and, according to Rojas, a significant increase in 2026 is unlikely. That is why ACERA is preparing a study to quantify the electrification potential of productive sectors, which would make it possible to use the energy that is curtailed today.
Batteries also face rules under discussion. The grid operator is reviewing how it schedules them in daily operation, an issue that could affect their revenue, as we explained in our story on battery scheduling and Supreme Decree 32.
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See advertising optionsFrequently asked questions about energy storage in Chile
How much energy storage does Chile have?
About 3.4 GW in operation, 3.1 GW in testing and 5.1 GW under construction, 11.3 GW in total according to ACERA. The September bulletin records 3,125 MW and 13,555 MWh installed.
Where are the batteries?
About 84% are between Arica y Parinacota and Atacama, next to the northern solar plants.
How many hours do Chilean batteries last?
On average about 4.3 hours at full power, based on a calculation with ACERA data.
How much electricity do batteries supply?
7.9% in September 2026 and 5.1% from January to September.
How many storage projects are coming?
About 20 GW have environmental approval and another 8 GW are under assessment, according to ACERA. Not all will be built.
