BHP signs agreements with Sungrow to deploy 195 MW solar and 960 MWh battery storage for Escondida and Spence copper mines in Chile
Type: Supply Agreement · Technology: Solar, Storage · Country: Chile · Capacity: 195 MW · Announced: 2026-06-03
BHP, the global mining giant operating Chile’s Escondida—the world’s largest copper mine—and Spence, signed agreements with Sungrow to integrate 195 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity and 960 MWh of battery storage across both operations in Antofagasta, northern Chile. The projects include 110 MW solar and a 110 MW / 540 MWh battery system at Escondida, and 85 MW solar with an 85 MW / 420 MWh battery at Spence, all designed for on-site consumption to power mining activities. Scheduled to commence operations from the 2029 fiscal year, the infrastructure aims to maintain 100% renewable electricity supply for both mines as copper production demand grows. By co-locating generation and storage at the point of use, BHP seeks to enhance grid resilience, reduce energy costs, and alleviate pressure on Chile’s broader electrical system. The initiative builds on BHP’s prior achievement of 100% renewable electricity supply for its Chilean operations in fiscal 2022 through long-term power purchase agreements.