Chile has introduced a new long-term energy strategy under which at least 70% of national electricity generation is to come from renewable sources by 2050.
The new energy strategy was presented in the document ‘Energy 2050’ prepared from information gathered since August 2014 through workshops and discussions held throughout Chile, with the strategic proposals from the Consultative Committee led by the Energy Minister Máximo Pacheco.
The President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, welcomed this approach, as “a policy built in this manner with effective participation ensures that all stakeholders believe it to be their policy, which is the cornerstone of its legitimacy. We are delighted to be able to say that we now have a solid National Energy Policy to enable us to plan and coordinate our efforts.”
In addition to 70% renewables generation commitment, other goals set by the new policy state that all energy projects in Chile are to have community engagement programs, all the main categories of electrical equipment sold in Chile are to include energy efficient equipment, Chile is to be connected to the Andean Electricity Interconnection System and to Mercosur countries, among others.
Creating this strategy was part of President Bachelet’s Government program and the Energy Agenda submitted in May 2014, Government of Chile’s press release reads.