Chilean copper mine Collahuasi has entered into a long-term power purchasing agreement (PPA) with independent solar power producer Sonnedix for the delivery of 150 GWh/y.
The PPA with Sonnedix constitutes about 12% of Collahuasi’s power requirements.
The agreement, Sonnedix says, represents a further expansion of its presence in Chile, since it entered the electricity generating market in 2015.
The company is constructing a 170 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant – Sonnedix Atacama Solar - in the commune of Pica and has more than 400 MW of utility-scale solar PV projects under development, construction or in operation in the Chilean market.
“Partnerships like this help to achieve Chile’s renewable power targets. Securing a 24/7, long term, 100% renewable PPA highlights how important green power is to our customers and is testament to our sustainability commitment,” comments Sonnedix CEO Axel Thiemann.
To Collahuasi CEO Jorge Gomez, the agreement represents a “new milestone”. “It highlights our commitment towards the environment, the development of opportunities for new actors in the national energy market, and the push for technological development such as the use of batteries for energy storage.”
Chile law firm Carey advised Sonnedix on the transaction.
Collahuasi is owned by diversified miners Glencore and Anglo American, as well as Japanese trading house Mitsui & Co.