How GameChange Energy Kept Escobales Moving
During construction, three areas of Colombia’s Escobales solar project were excluded from development, affecting more than 100 tables. For the project team, revising the layout meant protecting completed work while finding room to recover the capacity of the structures that had to be removed.
Working with POWERCHINA Colombia, our engineers reconfigured tracker tables and repurposed material already on site. The resulting field modifications required no new structural orders or long-lead components. That response illustrates the approach we took throughout Escobales: adapting the engineering as conditions changed so the EPC could keep building.
Located in Tolima, the 144 MW plant was delivered by POWERCHINA, Colombia, for Celsia and Cubico Sustainable Investments. GameChange Energy supplied the tracker and fixed-tilt systems, backed by in-house geotechnical expertise, logistics coordination, and on-site support.
Making the Most of a Constrained Site
Irregular terrain and restrictive site boundaries made the mounting-system choice central to the layout. Our engineers combined tracking and fixed-tilt structures, selecting the configuration best suited to each part of the site.
Genius Tracker™ single-axis systems in a one-in-portrait (1P) configuration served most of the plant. Tables accommodating one, two, or three strings gave the design team capacity to fit tracker rows within the available boundaries.
In the remaining areas, MaxSpan™ fixed-tilt tables were arranged back-to-back, facing east and west. This denser configuration accommodated more capacity on constrained land, helping the project make effective use of the available footprint.
Adapting Foundations to the Ground
Initial geotechnical studies indicated that direct pile driving would be feasible across much of the site. However, once construction began, crews encountered scattered boulders and harder-than-expected soil layers. Frequent pile refusal increased the risk of rework.
Our in-house geotechnical specialists worked with POWERCHINA, Colombia and the field teams to develop pre-drilling solutions using different bore diameters. Where refusal rates were highest, they introduced alternative foundation details. The recommendations also aimed to minimise concrete use, which was constrained by permitting requirements.
Reworking the Layout with Materials Already on Site
Excluding three areas during construction created a different engineering challenge. Tables originally designed for interior positions now had to be adapted to a revised perimeter. Our team reconfigured those tables and used additional piles to reinforce selected structures in newly exposed sections.
Material recovered from the removed tables supplied the structural modifications, avoiding new orders and their associated delivery lead times. The redesign also added capacity selectively to offset the removed tables and maintain the intended inverter loading.
Keeping Deliveries Aligned with Project Milestones
Import procedures added another source of uncertainty. Repeated customs and regulatory reviews put milestones tied to incentives and compliance obligations at risk, making delivery visibility and timely technical responses particularly important.
Through GeniusShip™, we delivered real-time shipment visibility. Our engineering teams responded to technical clarification requests, adapted documentation to Colombian requirements, and worked with the EPC to align shipment timing with the project´s deadlines.
Engineering Support Through Commercial Operation
Escobales entered commercial operation in phases between December 2025 and March 2026. The plant is expected to generate approximately 257 GWh of electricity annually.
The project shows where responsive engineering makes a practical difference during construction. At Escobales, it enabled revised foundations to reflect actual ground conditions and a changed layout to use materials already delivered. By staying closely involved with POWERCHINA, our team helped turn those decisions into workable solutions in the field and supported the plant’s progress toward commercial operation.
See how GameChange Energy addressed the engineering and construction challenges at Escobales.