In order to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality, one of the key players will be Non-Conventional Renewable Energies. On Earth Day, we show you a series of innovative projects that put Chile at the forefront of clean energy generation worldwide.
The goal is as clear as it is ambitious: by 2050, the objective is for Chile to be the first developing country to achieve carbon neutrality, that is, for Chile to be able to absorb as much CO2 as it generates, bringing its environmental impact to practically zero. To this end, the role that renewable energies will play is key.
According to industry figures, the participation of Non-Conventional Renewable Energies (NCRE), accumulates 25% of the total energy generated so far in 2021, with solar photovoltaic and wind power plants leading the way. In this way, the 20/25 law, which aimed for NCRE to represent 20% of the total energy generated in the country by 2025, has already been surpassed by far. By December 2020 they already represented 22%, according to figures from the Renewable Energy and Storage Association (ACERA). With this goal achieved, the Ministry of Energy is working on updating the regulations to reach 70% by 2030, bringing that goal forward by 20 years.
According to a REN21 report entitled "Renewables in Cities 2021 Global Status Report", Chile is among the leaders in Latin America in renewable energy investment: Chile reached US$ 4.9 billion last year, behind only Brazil ($6.5 billion).
On Earth Day, here are some renewable energy projects that are coming into operation to change the face of our country.
Cerro Dominador, the first Concentrated Solar Power plant in Latin America. Located in the Atacama Desert (in the Antofagasta region), this project has become one of the most emblematic renewable energy projects in Latin America, using solar tower and photovoltaic concentrating solar technologies. The project, which this month was successfully synchronized to the Chilean electricity system, uses 10,600 mirrors (heliostats), which reflect the sunlight and concentrate the heat in a receiver located on top of the tower, 250 meters high. This plant was built by the consortium formed by the Spanish companies Acciona and Abengoa for its owner, the U.S. company EIG Global Energy Partners, and will be 100% operational in the coming months.
Cerro Pabellón, South America's first geothermal plant and the one at the highest altitude in the world. In September 2017, the first geothermal plant in South America and the first large-scale plant built at 4,500 meters above sea level in the world was commissioned. Located in the Atacama Desert (in the Antofagasta region), it has the capacity to supply 165 thousand Chilean homes, avoiding the emission of more than 166 thousand tons of CO2 per year. Geothermal energy comes from the earth's internal heat, which is manifested through the presence of volcanoes, which is why Chile has a lot of geothermal potential. The plant is owned by Geotérmica del Norte (GDN), formed by Enel and ENAP.
Luz del Norte solar farm, the first solar power plant in the world to offer complementary services. The photovoltaic plant, located in the Atacama region, is the first large-scale solar facility in the world authorized to provide complementary services to the electricity grid on a commercial basis. The plant, with the capacity to produce energy equivalent to supplying 174,000 homes, is owned by the U.S. company First Solar.
Putaendo solar plant, the largest floating solar plant in Chile: In September 2020, this solar plant was inaugurated in Putaendo (Valparaíso region), which generates renewable electricity for the distribution network and at the same time reduces water evaporation. Located on 1,500 m2 of the Agrícola Mataquito-Hortifrut dam, it produces 100% of the energy required by the company, thanks to its 456 solar panels. The project was developed by the Chilean company Solarity.
Chile's first industrial hybrid plant. Enel Green Power began construction of the Azabache photovoltaic solar farm in the Antofagasta region in 2020. This will operate jointly with the Valle de los Vientos wind farm, becoming the first hybrid industrial plant in Chile, using photovoltaic panels and wind turbines.
The world's first floating solar plant on tailings. In 2019, Anglo American commissioned the world's first floating solar plant on tailings in Colina (Metropolitan Region). The plant called Las Tórtolas, with 256 photovoltaic panels of 86 kWh capacity, delivers energy to the Los Bronces mine.
The southernmost photovoltaic park in the world. In 2018, the southernmost photovoltaic plant in the world, called Las Palomas, was inaugurated in the commune of Bulnes (Ñuble region). The photovoltaic park was developed by the company oEnergy.
