Chile plans 75.6% of new power capacity by 2030 to be renewable

Sep 18, 2014 - The Chilean government projects that renewables will account for 75.6% of the 4,979 MW of power capacity to be added to the Sistema Interconectado Central (SIC) grid in 2018-2030, daily La Tercera said yesterday.

Overall, the bulk of the new capacity is seen to come from solar and wind power, while the remaining 24.4% will be plants using as fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) and coal.

The projections are included in the preliminary programme elaborated by Chile's National Electricity Commission (CNE). The calculation does not include projects such as HidroAysen and Central Cuervo, but takes into consideration the 531-MW Alto Maipo hydropower plant (HPP), the report said.

According to the head of Chile’s renewable energy association Asociacion Chilena de Energias Renovables (Acera), Carlos Finat, this renewable energy share is not a surprise. He reminded that Law 20/25 stipulates that at least 45% of the new generation by 2025 have to come from non-conventional renewable energy.

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