Wildfires threaten Las Lechuzas solar plant in Chile's Ñuble region
2026Published 31 Oct 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor
Get the next one by email
Free alerts on solar PV incidents in Chile, and an email when EIR-2661 is updated. No account needed; unsubscribe in one click.
Confirm your email and every solar incident on the register arrives at once as a spreadsheet (CSV), free.
Get a free sample brief Three complete verified records and the incidents-per-GW table, by email within a minute.
We will also email you about the register's paid records and plans, at most once a week and three times in all. You can stop these at any time. By signing up you agree to the privacy policy.
Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): Cooperativa de Consumo de Energía Eléctrica Chillán
What happened
Wildfires advancing across south-central Chile reached infrastructure associated with the Las Lechuzas solar plant in the commune of San Nicolás, Ñuble region. The plant, which feeds about 3,000 households in San Nicolás, San Carlos, Trehuaco and Portezuelo, is operated by the Cooperativa de Consumo de Energía Eléctrica Chillán (COPELEC), which reported the fire reaching associated infrastructure. The cooperative asked for priority coordination with firefighters to protect the site and prevent greater damage.
Other sources reported that the plant was disconnected as a safety measure. On 14 January 2026 the national disaster service declared a yellow alert for Ñuble after three active forest fires exceeded 585 hectares. One of them, El Manzano, affected 160 hectares in San Nicolás.
Contributing factors
The plant was threatened by external wildfire spreading through the area. The source does not report the cause of the fires or the extent of any damage to the plant itself.
Lessons learned
- Solar sites in wildfire-prone regions should have defined vegetation clearance and firebreaks around both the array and associated infrastructure.
- Operators should agree priority access and coordination arrangements with local fire services before a fire season begins.
- A documented procedure for precautionary disconnection and safe restart protects both equipment and grid stability during wildfire events.
More lessons on weather and external hazards, fire suppression and firefighting, from every incident on the register.
Source
Published 2026-10-31. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.
