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Central Cardones

The Cardones thermal power plant began operations in 2009 and was acquired by International Power Services in December 2024. Connected to the Cardones substation south of Copiapó in the Atacama region, Cardones provides the people of Chile with 155 MW of reliable backup power every day.

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PLANT OVERVIEW

The Cardones plant not only serves as a backup plant for the National Electric System (SEN), but also maintains the security of the northern region, which is one of the most important nodes of the SEN due to the interconnection of the former 500 kV Northern Interconnected System (SING) and Central Interconnected System (SIC).

  • Commissioned on July 4, 2009, acquired by IPS Chile in 2024
  • Diesel-fueled thermal plant
  • 155 MW generation capacity
  • Inside the plant, there is a small solar-based generation unit (PMG)

PLANT SPECIFICATIONS

Thermal

Located on a 3.43-hectare plot adjacent to the Cardones Substation, the thermal plant is connected to the SEN through the Cardones substation, where it connects to bus bar 1 of 220 kV.

It is comprised of:

  • One Siemens SGT5-2000E gas turbine
  • One 182 MVA Siemens SGen5-100A-2P generator
  • Open cycle with diesel fuel

Solar

The Cardones plant solar panels began operations on December 14, 2015, and are located within the thermal plant's facilities.

General specifications:

  • Generation capacity of 437.6 kWp
  • Composed of 1,460 Astronergy photovoltaic modules, grouped into four trackers
  • Hosts a 500 kW Greenpower inverter

community news

Through outreach programs, hosted activities, and a steadfast presence, IPS Chile is dedicated to being an active member of the Biobío community.

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Programa Capacitacion Tecnica CARDONES

Technical Training Program

The training course on Techniques for the Care of the Elderly began at the INACAP Technical Training Center in Copiapó, with the attendance of beneficiaries residing in the Copiapó district, who were selected by the team of professionals from the Health Department of the Municipality of Copiapó.

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Progama Fondos Concursables CARDONES

Competitive Funds Program

At the El Palomar Community Center, with great enthusiasm and commitment to community development, International Power Services has launched the Central Cardones Competitive Funds 2025 Program, an initiative that seeks to support and strengthen social organizations in the communities where the company operates.

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Programa Salud CARDONES

Health Program

Your life, your strength, your time: get your mammogram at the health operation in the Paipote sector, under an agreement between FALP (Arturo López Pérez Foundation) and Central Cardones of International Power Services. Woman of Copiapó, we know that every day you give the best of yourself -for your family, for your work, for those around you-, but it is also time to think about yourself.

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