Zelestra, a global, multi-technology, customer-focused renewable energy company, has successfully achieved financial close of the Aurora project in Chile through a $282 million project financing package that has been agreed upon with Natixis CIB and BNP Paribas, with a VAT facility granted by BCI.
The hybrid Aurora scheme in Tarapacá, Chile, includes approximately 1 GWh of energy storage and a 220 MWdc solar plant. As one of the largest energy storage schemes in Latin America, the project allowed Zelestra to design a customized multi-technology solution that will provide Chilean company Abastible a guaranteed supply of solar energy in nighttime hours via a long-term PPA. Abastible is one of Chile’s leading energy companies, a leader in the liquefied natural gas market, and growing strongly in recent years in the electricity market.
Delivery of the project is being led by Zelestra’s internal EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) division. When complete, Aurora will generate approximately 600 GWh of renewable electricity per year, equivalent to the annual consumption of 200,000 Chilean households, contributing significantly to the country’s decarbonization.
“Aurora is a landmark transaction for Zelestra and reinforces the financial community’s confidence in our customer-first strategy to develop multi-technology solutions that deliver for our clients. This is a very ambitious project that includes one of the largest battery storage projects in Latin America. With construction already underway, we are now focused on delivering the project on time and on budget.”
– Leo Moreno, CEO of Zelestra.
Zelestra manages a portfolio of approximately 29 GW of carbon-free projects across 13 countries, including 5.4 GW contracted with customers and in various stages of development, construction, or operation. Backed by EQT—one of the world’s largest funds with over €273 billion in assets under management—Zelestra develops, commercializes, builds, and operates large-scale renewable energy projects as a fully integrated company.
