Chile

Solar power over-produced in Chile

June 4, 2016

Solar capacity on Chile’s central power grid has quadrupled to 770 MG over the last three years. This rapid increase has led to the decrease of electricity costs for consumers. Chile currently has 29 solar farms online and 15 more in the pipeline. Some regions are in fact oversupplied with power and the Chilean utility, […]

155 MW of wind approved in Chile despite violation of indigenous rights

March 24, 2016

The Temucuicui Mapuche community of Chile announced its strong opposition to a 155 MW wind farm. The group said that the farm constitutes “plundering, attack and usurpation” of ancestral territory. The community’s announcement was released after Chile’s Environmental Evaluation Service fave the go-ahead for the wind farm to be built on this territory. The Temucuicui community […]

Chile approves 600+ MW of renewable energy

March 14, 2016

The Chilean government approved the construction of a 600 MW PV system and a number of smaller systems this week. Approved projects include: Project (technology) Capacity Investment Cielos de Tarapaca (PV) 600 MW USD 1bn Planta Fotovoltaica La Esperanza (PV) 9 MW USD 18m Planta Fotovoltaica Marchigue (PV) 9 MW USD 18m Mini Central Hidroelectrica […]

Chile goes big on solar

January 20, 2016

At 200 meters tall and with over 10,600 mirrors, Atacama 1 is expected to be the largest solar plant running on a single tower in the world. The plant is expected to generate 110 megawatts 24/7. Chile is already well-known for renewable energy initiatives and the tower is hoped to be its  newest triumph in solar PV. Business […]

Chilean Government to auction land for renewable energy projects

November 23, 2015

Last week the Chilean government announced that it will auction off nearly 20,000 acres of land in the area around the city of Taltal for renewable energy projects in 2016. Most land will be allocated specifically for wind-energy projects. As of October 2015, Chile had 2,275 MW of renewable energy projects.

Gamesa Awarded 112 MW Wind Turbine Order In Chile

October 22, 2015

Chile continues to climb the Renewable Energy Attractiveness Index – moving from 11 to number 9 alongside Brazil. Confidence is bolstered by an order for a 112 MW wind turbine supply contract from Gamesa. The wind farm will receive 56 of Gamesa’s G114-2.0 MW turbines, which are optimized for low and medium wind speed sites. […]

Chile Cerro Pabellón plant expected to start operations by mid-2017

October 6, 2015

ENAP and Enel Green Power estimate that the Cerro Pabellón plant in Chile will start operations in mid-2017. According to Marcelo Tokman, CEO of ENAP, major components of the plant must be pre-assembled and delivered to the site due to the high-altitude of the project location. The 48 MW plant will be built at 4,500 meters […]

Geothermal Project in Chile Heats Up

August 27, 2015

Chile’s first geothermal project comes to life. After 40 years of exploration and drilling, drilling for Chile’s first geothermal project at Cerro Pabellón is finally underway. Marcelo Tokman, General Manager of Chile’s utility, ENAP, highlighted the importance of geothermal exploration in a region that is heavily dependent on fossil fuels. ENAP shares ownership of the plan […]

Chile Mines Powered with Renewables

August 13, 2015

Codelco, a state-owned copper mine in Chile, has cut their 67,000 annual barrels of diesel usage by 80% through the installation of 3,000 solar panels.  In a country in which competes for the world’s highest energy prices, the cost-savings through renewables are considerable.