Limes Renewable Energy Secures Environmental Approval For 84 MW Solar + 90 MW BESS Pradera Larga Project In Central Chile, Marking Biggest Non-European Milestone

Limes Renewable Energy, a global developer of solar, wind, and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects, has reached a major milestone in its international growth strategy. The company has secured the Environmental Qualification Resolution (RCA) for its Pradera Larga project in Chile’s Valparaíso Region. This approval is essential for moving the project forward and reflects Limes’ successful application of its long-established development approach honed over many years in Italy.

Pradera Larga is the company’s largest project outside Europe to receive this approval so far. The hybrid project will include an 84 MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) plant combined with a 90 MW battery energy storage system, representing an investment of around US$150 million. The project site is located in Casablanca, in Central Chile. Its development aligns with Limes’ strategy of building renewable energy assets closer to major demand centers. While securing approvals for large-scale solar projects in Central Chile can be more complex than in the country’s northern desert regions, Limes sees long-term advantages in these locations.

Central Chile has high and growing electricity demand, limited local power generation, and benefits from reduced dependence on long-distance transmission. This also helps lower the risks associated with Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) contracts—one of the main challenges for PV projects in the north. According to Martin Libra, Head of LATAM at Limes, Pradera Larga is a flagship effort for the company in Chile. He noted that achieving the RCA in such a complex area shows Limes’ capability in developing challenging renewable energy projects. He added that with Pradera Larga and the rest of the pipeline progressing toward maturity, the company is well-positioned in the region and actively evaluating new opportunities across Latin America.

Limes Managing Director, Cristiano Spillati, explained that securing the environmental approval demonstrates the company’s long-term commitment to Chile and highlights the work of its local team. He said that Limes is applying in Chile the same strategy that has brought strong results in Italy, supporting its goal of becoming an independent power producer (IPP).

Over the coming year, Limes will move Pradera Larga toward Ready-to-Build status. This phase will include advancing construction financing, negotiating PPAs, and preparing procurement for the project. The company also expects to obtain the environmental approval for its 200 MW BESS Huañil project and to continue developing the rest of its utility-scale pipeline. Limes’ Chilean pipeline now includes around 180 MWp of solar PV and 620 MW of BESS capacity. Along with Pradera Larga and BESS Huañil, this includes early-stage projects such as BESS Pimiento (100 MW) and BESS El Ganso (150 MW), which aim to support the country’s growing need for energy storage.

Earlier in 2025, the company completed its first international project sale by divesting an early-stage standalone BESS asset in Chile to a multinational independent power producer. By building on its strong foundation in Italy and expanding into Chile, Limes is positioning the country as a central market for its long-term regional strategy. The company continues to explore new development opportunities across Latin America as it grows its presence and strengthens its contribution to the region’s renewable energy transition.