Power transformer now at site for Aela’s 129-MW wind park in Chile

The power transformer for the 129-MW Aurora wind farm in Chile has arrived at the project site in Los Lagos region, developer Mainstream Renewable Power announced on Monday.

The 170-MVA transformer was produced by Swiss-based power and automation group ABB Ltd (VTX:ABBN). According to the project update, the 109-tonne equipment was transported from the port city of Puerto Montt to the specific site in the Llanquihue commune. The transformer will be used as a step-up voltage regulator for the wind park transforming input voltage from 33 kV to 220 kV.

The wind farm will consist of 43 Senvion 3.0M122 turbines, the output of which will be enough to meet the annual demand of around 215,000 households. Its construction was initiated last year and the facility is planned to be switched on in December. The plant will feed electricity into Chile’s National Electricity System.

The Aurora wind project is owned by Aela Energia, a 60/40 joint venture between private equity firm Actis and Ireland’s Mainstream. The latter is the developer of the scheme and is in charge of the plant’s construction and commissioning. The partners won the project in a Chilean tender in 2014.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!