A USD 200 million expansion of the Cerro Pabellón geothermal plant in Chile has been given the go-ahead by the country’s environmental watchdog.
This geothermal plant was the first in South America to enter into operation.
A subsidiary of Enel Generación, a multi-national power company and leader in the renewable field with a presence in Chile, Geotérmica del Norte, is in charge of the expansion.
Construction for the expansion will start in the third quarter of this year.
Chile has a potential for geothermal resources estimated at 3.35GW. To allow for further investment into the sector and update regulations, a bill was recently passed in Chile’s lower chamber.
