PUNTA COLORADA — Chile

PUNTA COLORADA is a 20 MW wind power plant in Coquimbo, Chile. It is operated by BARRICK CHILE GENERACION S.A.. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 17k homes (estimated). It ranks #185 of 336 Chile power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2012, it is around 14 years old — relatively modern. As a non-combustion source, it has no direct CO₂ emissions from generation. In context, wind supplies about 13.1% of Chile's electricity; the national grid averages 289 gCO₂/kWh (66.4% low-carbon) (2025).

Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id CHL0002013.

Data provenance

Source of the capacity and fuel values:

capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000905552; fuel: WRI GPPD

In context: how this plant compares

At 20 MW, PUNTA COLORADA is below the median wind plant in Chile (46 MW). Technically it is described as Onshore. Wind turbines convert moving air into electricity; output is variable and site-dependent, and modern turbines deliver some of the lowest-cost new generation on many grids.

Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.

Key facts

Share of Chile wind capacity

2.2% of 897 MW across 18 plants in this dataset

Age among peers

4 of 15 dated wind plants in Chile are older

Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).

Capacity vs largest wind plants in Chile

Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).

Owner

Operated by BARRICK CHILE GENERACION S.A..

Local climate & thermal context

This wind plant converts the kinetic energy of wind into electricity through turbine rotors. It sits in a cold desert climate (Köppen BWk) — Southern Hemisphere, latitude 29.4°S — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.

Monthly mean temperature

Heating degree-days here run 29% below the median power plant in this dataset — a proxy for how much extra energy heated equipment must replace through its surfaces in winter.

Climate heat-demand index: 39/100 — this site sits in the mid third of the power plants we cover by heating degree-days.

Climate normals: WorldClim 2.1 (1970–2000 monthly normals, 10 arc-min, CC BY 4.0); zone: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid). Degree-days & heat-demand index computed by PowerAtlas — a modelled heat-demand proxy, not a measured site figure.

Site climate & environmental severity

This site sits in a corrosive environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C4 — High), with dust abrasion the leading environmental stress.

Indicative estimate via the ISO 9223:2012 informative method (atmospheric corrosivity from temperature, time-of-wetness and airborne salinity), using WorldClim climate normals, the Köppen-Geiger class and coast distance. Indicative, not a measured corrosion rate.

How it compares & nearby plants

The #13 largest wind power plant of 18 in Chile by capacity.

Chile has 18 wind power plants in this dataset, together about 897 MW of capacity.

Nearby power plants

• PUNTA COLORADA · Oil · 16.6 MW · Coquimbo
• El Pelícano · Solar · 100.8 MW · Coquimbo
• Cruz Grande power station · Coal · 300 MW · Coquimbo
• Barrancones power station · Coal · 540 MW · Coquimbo
• Pajonales power station · Oil · 100.8 MW · Atacama
• El Romero · Solar · 246 MW · Atacama

Location

Coordinates -29.3662, -71.0585 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.

Frequently asked questions