Complejo Termico Santa Maria de Coronel

The Complejo Termico Santa Maria de Coronel -- which is also occasionally referred to as the Santa Maria power station -- is a coal-fired power station currently at Coronel approximately 500 kilometres south of Santiago, Chile.

The first 342 MW unit is was initially scheduled for completion in 2010. However, following a major earthquake in Chile Colbun announced that the start-up date for the project was pushed back. The project went into operation in 2012.

A second phase of 350 has also been proposed at the same site.

Project development
The project is being developed by Colbún, a major Chilean power generation company with both hydro and fossil fuel plants. The power station is being constructed by Posco Engineering & Construction.

The engineering consultancy firm GHD states on its website that since 2006 it has advised Colbun on the project. GHD states that the first unit will comprise "a 350 MW pulverized coal combustion plant with a seawater desulfurization system, electrostatic particulate removal and low NOx burners." GHD also states that it has advised Colbun on various aspects of the project including:
 * "Assessment of coal use to compare the imported coal with local sub-bituminous options";
 * "Coal Forward Pricing Assessment to give a snapshot of coal supply market pricing, and some guidance on pricing pressures in the near to medium term";
 * "Presentation of the sustainability of coal fired power plants (using modern technology) to the Chilean environmental authority, CONAMA";
 * "Coal Handling Plant design engineering with stack conveyor, tripper and reclaim conveyor tunnel for the operation of the two 350 MW units. Guidance on concept design of ash containment structures and advice on slope stability of saturated ash stockpiles, and on prevention of groundwater leachate"; and
 * "Technical and economic bid review services for the proposed 350 MW Unit 2 at Coronel".

In an article titled "Coal to the rescue", GHD stated that as part of the work on the Complejo Termico Santa Maria de Coronel power station proposal it had "hosted a visit to Australia by a delegation of Colbun executives to view coal fired power stations and discuss coal contracts with Australian mining companies. GHD’s Australian power and coal mining clients were pleased to share their knowledge with the Chileans. GHD’s success continues in Chile with a second Colbun project under development and other power project proponents have engaged GHD to assist in the development of their coal fired projects. GHD is also providing maintenance and trouble shooting advice to some of the combined cycle plants."

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Chile and coal
 * Global use and production of coal
 * International Information on Coal

External articles
Existing coal plants in Chile