Spain-based Abengoa has obtained a favorable environmental rating from the authorities of the Chilean Environmental Service to develop a 110 MW concentrating solar power (CSP) plant in the Atacama Desert using molten salts tower technology.
Abengoa says the government review committee unanimously voted to approve the project after evaluating potential environmental effects from the Cerro Dominador CSP plant's construction and operation. The experts took into account issues such as use of the land, water, air, emissions and waste.
Cerro Dominador will have a thermal storage system designed and developed by Abengoa, which will enable electricity to be produced for approximately 18 hours without the need for a solar resource. The plant is expected to be the first solar thermal plant for direct electricity production in South America.
