International renewable energy companies are interested in producing clean energy for the South American country

Leer en Español: Chile le apuesta a la energía renovable

The National Commission of Energy (CNE) of Chile announced that there are 24 companies interested in the energy auction that will provide the country with 2.200 GWh over two decades starting on the year 2024.

Among these businesses, there is Gas Natural Fenosa, Acciona SA, Cox Energy and Ibereolica from Spain, Enel from Italy, and 20 others national companies like Colbún and Besalco.

There are many ideal proposals based on solar or wind energy. “We have 24 proposals that assure us that we have a competitive, dynamic, and healthy market where we, probably, are going to have competitive prices”, said Andrés Romero, executive secretary of the National Commission of Energy. The auction will be held on the 3rd of November and the Chilean Government is hoping to receive maximum $47,6 dollars per megawatts per hour.

According to the UN, Chile is the second Latin American country in the renewable energy investment department, just after Mexico. Over the course of the last year, the international entity reported an investment of US$3.400 million in Chile, $500 million less than Mexico.

Today, Chile produces 17% of its energy via unconventional renewable sources

Solar power in Chile

Today, Chile produces 17% of its energy via unconventional renewable sources. The Government is seeking to increase said amount to 20% by 2020, 60% in 2035, and up to 90% by 2050. The principal source is solar energy; 76% of the unconventional renewable energy comes from solar energy.

According to the Energy Minister, the main solar plants in Chile are:

1. El Romero solar plant. It is located in the Vallenar commune in the Atacama region. El Romero produce 196 MW.

2. Bolero solar plant. Located in the Sierra Gorda commune in the Antofagasta region. It produces 146,64 MW.

3. Luz del Norte solar plant. Located in the Copiapó commune in the Atacama region. It has power of 141 MW.

4. Finis Terrae solar plant. It is placed in María Elena commune in the Antofagasta region; produces 138 MW.

5. Conejo Solar solar plant. It is located in the Taltal commune in the Antofagasta region; produces 104 MW.

6. Quilapilún solar plant. It’s the most powerful plant in the Metropolitan region; it produces 103,2 MW.

7. Amanecer CAP solar plant. It is located in the Copiapó commune, close to the Bolero plant. It can produce 101,02 MW.

8. El Pelícano solar plant. It is located in La Higuera in El Coquimbo region; it can produce up to 100,3 MW.

9. Carrera PIGNORE INTO solar plant. It is also in the Copiapó commune in the Atacama region; it produces 73.5 MW.

10. Pampa Solar Norte solar plant. It is located in the Taltal in the Antofagasta region, near the Conejo Solar plant; produces 69,30 MW.

 
Latin American Post | Santiago Gómez Hernández

Copy edited by Susana Cicchetto