Chile plans to increase the share of renewable generation sources in its national energy mix from the current level of 69% to 80%, according to a presentation delivered by Erik Escalona Aguilar, professor at the University of Lleida, at the Regional to Global international conference in Quito, Ecuador.
To achieve this goal, the amount of approximately $5.17 billion, or 84.8% of all energy investment, needs to be channeled to the renewable energy sector every year between 2025 and 2029.
That said, mining will remain the biggest energy consumer, accounting for about 33% of total energy consumption.
“Chile is currently seeing a broader use of renewable energy sources, with energy storage capacity being increased, the high-voltage transmission grid expanding, the use of electric transport growing, and demand for electric power from the mining industry rising,” Prof Escalona Aguilar noted, speaking at the conference.
At the same time, in a bid to attain its goals of widening the use of renewable energy sources, Chile faces a number of serious challenges, including social inequality and a high level of poverty.
