AES Gener recently completed construction of twin coal-fired, 260-MW units in the electricity-starved desert of northern Chile that may serve as models for future hybrid-fossil plant designs. For meeting an aggressive construction schedule, integrating a 20-MW battery energy storage system, embracing desalination, using the first-of-kind seawater cooling tower in South America, and employing innovative financing methods, the AES Gener Angamos plant has earned POWER's 2012 Plant of the Year Award.