In the sun-baked Atacama Desert, some of the world's most powerful solar panels have been quietly building something remarkable. Now, the company behind that clean energy boom is opening its doors wider — and businesses across Chile are watching closely.
Grenergy, a Spanish clean energy company, has launched what it calls a "reverse auction" in Chile, essentially inviting power companies, retailers, and large energy users to buy renewable electricity directly from its solar and battery storage plants. The company is selling 1.5 terawatt-hours of energy per year through this auction — enough to power hundreds of thousands of homes.
The auction breaks down into two parts. About 960 gigawatt-hours will come from batteries storing solar energy for nighttime use, while 540 gigawatt-hours will come directly from solar panels. Companies can sign contracts for 6, 8, 10, 12, or 15 years, giving them long-term price stability. Applications are open until July 22 through the Match Energía marketplace.
This marks the third time Grenergy has run its own auction in Chile. The first one, launched in March 2022, made Grenergy the first clean energy producer in Latin America to hold such a reverse auction — a milestone that surprised even industry veterans.
Grenergy has roots in Chile going back to 2012, and the country has become its Latin American headquarters. The company's flagship project, Oasis Atacama, operates 2.5 gigawatts of solar capacity and 14 gigawatt-hours of battery storage in the northern desert. A newer project, Oasis Central, is bringing 1.4 gigawatts of solar and 5.1 gigawatt-hours of storage to the central region.
Chile has emerged as a global leader in clean energy partly because of companies like Grenergy. The country boasts some of the highest solar radiation levels on the planet, making it ideal for solar farms. By combining solar generation with battery storage, Grenergy solves one of renewable energy's biggest challenges: providing power when the sun isn't shining.
Looking ahead, Grenergy plans to expand its Chilean operations while also taking its model to Europe. The company employs more than 600 people across three continents and has a global portfolio of 71 gigawatt-hours of storage and 12 gigawatts of solar capacity under development. With a market value exceeding €3.5 billion, it has grown from a Spanish startup in 2007 into a major player in the global energy transition.
For Chile, Grenergy's growing ambitions signal something larger: the country isn't just exporting minerals anymore. It's becoming a powerhouse in clean electricity, and companies like Grenergy are helping write that story.