Construction of gas-fired combined-cycle power plant achieved in Chile

Samsung Construction & Trading Corporation (C&T) and the Korean Southern Power Co (KOSPO) have celebrated the project completion at an opening ceremony held the 26^th of May in Antofagasta.

The construction project started in 2014 and the gas-fired combined-cycle power plant was connected to the Chilean grid in June 2016.

The Kelar facility is located in the Northern Chilean region of Mejillones and has a 517MW capacity. It is besides expected to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 1.5M tons annually as it is to replace coal-based power generation in the country.

Samsung C&T and KOSPO composed the consortium for the project. They hold respectively 35% and 65%. Samsung Engineering has secured the EPC contract.

In 2013, the companies have reached a 25 year power purchase agreement with the Chilean arm of BHP Biliton to supply electricity to its copper mines, including the Escondida project.

The Kelar plant has cost $600M.