Chile: Mainstream gets planning consent for the 182 megawatt Aurora wind farm

Global wind and solar company, Mainstream Renewable Power, has received environmental consent from the Chilean Environmental Evaluation Service to build and operate the 182 megawatt Aurora wind farm in the commune of Llanquihue in the Los Lagos region of Chile. Upon reaching financial close, Aurora will transfer to Aela Energía, the Chilean wind and solar platform established by Actis, a leading emerging markets investor and Mainstream in 2013, set to deliver 600MW of energy capacity over five years.

The wind farm is expected to commence construction in the coming months and, when fully operational, could generate enough clean energy to power approximately the equivalent of 280,000 households.

The project is on land dedicated to dairy and agriculture activities which will continue alongside the operating wind farm.  It will be connected to the country’s central electricity transmission system (SIC) via an existing line that passes next to the project.

Commenting on the planning consent, Mainstream’s Project Development Manager, Ricardo Sereño (pictured) said: “We are delighted to get the green light to build and operate this project which will provide much needed clean energy as well as socio-economic benefits to the region. Mainstream has over 2,000 megawatts of wind and solar projects in development throughout Chile and we expect to construct up to 1,000 megawatts in the next 5 years”.

Aela Energía which is 60% owned by Actis and 40% by Mainstream will acquire further projects which have been fully developed by Mainstream, at financial close. Mainstream will continue to manage the construction and support the operation of the projects on behalf of the joint venture.