Lean energy Chile

How has Chile accelerated its energy transition?

Despite its historic ties to fossil fuels and copper mining, Chile in recent years has accelerated its energy transition through broad-based political support, private-public partnerships and innovative green technologies.

How can public-private partnerships accelerate Chile's energy transition?

Public-private partnerships have been key in accelerating Chile’s energy transition, especially when it comes to the country’s green hydrogen market. Green hydrogen, a clean energy source that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity, sits at the heart of Chile’s energy transition.

How much energy does Chile produce?

“It was seen as something ambitious and it has already been surpassed.” Today 35.4 per cent of the energy generated in Chile is wind and solar, and 37.2 per cent comes from water sources in the National Electric System (SEN), which covers the vast majority of demand. Oil, coal and gas represent 26.9 per cent.

Is there an alternative to solar energy in Chile?

Chile has begun to explore an alternative. Both Cerro Dominador and the Alba Project are powered by so-called solar salts, extracted from the Atacama Desert, composed of potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate. When melted and kept in a liquid state, they allow energy to be stored.

Why is Chile getting support from the IBD?

Chile is also receiving support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IBD) to accelerate its use of clean and sustainable energy sources and promote equal pay and gender parity within its renewable energy sector.

Will Chile replace coal plants with solar thermal plants?

As coal plants are eliminated, Chile intends to replace them with solar thermal plants or convert them into batteries like the Alba Project. The solar thermal tower Cerro Dominador has become a symbol of Chile’s energy revolution against climate change.