Sustainability & ESG
Climate change, circular economy and green finance.
Chilean court annuls SEC fines on grid coordinator board members over the 25 February blackout
The Santiago Court of Appeals annulled the 300 UTM fines that the SEC imposed on five board members of the National Electricity Coordinator over the 25 February 2025 blackout. The ruling says the regulator did not identify specific conduct. Fines on Interchile, Transelec and Alfa Transmisora follow a separate path.
Chile's Energy Ministry launches a power generation agenda with six pillars, and large consumers ask that whoever causes costs pays
Chile's Energy Ministry began a review to change the rules of the power generation segment, with working groups on six pillars. Acenor called for a 'causer pays' principle and said energy in Chile is 49% more expensive than in Brazil and 52% more than in Peru. The system has 39,217 MW, 70% renewable.
Terquim to invest US$50 million in Mejillones to expand its terminal and handle green ammonia
Terquim, a subsidiary of Odfjell Terminals, plans a US$50 million expansion of its liquid bulk terminal in Mejillones, Chile, to handle more fuels and sulfuric acid, load trains and add green ammonia transfer. Construction would run from April 2027 to October 2031, with up to 163 workers.
Six data centers totaling 1,420 MW left on a waiting list in Chile due to lack of transmission capacity
Chile's National Electricity Coordinator rejected at least six data center connection requests totaling 1,420 MW in Tiltil, Lampa, Colina and Buin because substations have no room. The transmission industry group says only 30% of grid works are on schedule.
Vicente mini hydro plant would generate 3 MW from the Las Mercedes irrigation canal in Curacaví, Chile
Nueva Carena filed for environmental review the Vicente mini hydro plant, a 3 MW, US$9 million project that will use water from the Las Mercedes irrigation canal in Curacaví and return it to the same canal. It would generate 20.7 GWh a year, the consumption of about 9,600 homes.
Electricity consumption per capita by country 2026: world ranking and where Chile stands
Each Chilean used 4,484 kWh of electricity in 2024, 18% above the world average of 3,790 kWh, according to Ember. Chile ranks 69th of 196 countries and territories and first in South America. Iceland leads with 48,424 kWh. Ranking, map, Latin America and trends since 2000.
Engie wins environmental approval to switch its Andina and Hornitos coal plants in Mejillones to gas
Engie Energía Chile won environmental approval to convert its Andina (CTA) and Hornitos (CTH) coal units to natural gas, with a new 60 MW turbine and a US$59 million investment. Chile's CNE requires them to keep operating until May 10, 2027 or until synchronous condensers come online.
Chile's grid operator offers talks to Renca over the Lo Campino substation, a US$52 million project
Chile's National Electric Coordinator replied to the municipality of Renca, which rejects the design of the Lo Campino substation over its impact on the Cerros de Renca Metropolitan Park. The Grupo Saesa project, with a reference investment of US$52.6 million, aims to relieve the Cerro Navia substation.
Chile picks 20 strategic energy projects to speed up permits, with US$47.65 billion under environmental review
Chile's Ministry of Energy is preparing a portfolio of 20 strategic energy projects, mainly transmission lines and storage, to cut their permitting times before 2030. Energy projects approved in 2025 took more than 450 days on average.
Innergex refiles the 154 MW San Carlos hydropower plant on Chile's Biobío River for US$420 million
Inversiones San Carlos, a subsidiary of Canada's Innergex, submitted a new environmental impact study for a 154.4 MW run-of-river plant on the Biobío River, between Los Ángeles and Mulchén. It is the third attempt: in 2022 the company withdrew once and the SEA ended the second review early.
Chile's Kimal-Lo Aguirre HVDC line passes 22% construction progress and plans up to 7,000 workers
The 1,346 km direct current line between Antofagasta and Santiago passed 22% construction progress at the end of October, with about 1,500 workers. The company plans to reach 7,000 if it obtains pending sectoral permits. It is due to operate in 2029.
Largest uranium producers in the world 2026: country ranking, resources and Latin America's place
Kazakhstan produced 23,270 tonnes of uranium in 2024, 38.6% of the world total of 60,213, according to the World Nuclear Association. Canada and Namibia complete the podium. Ranking of production, mines, companies, resources and the place of Brazil and Argentina.
Chile transmission tender awards 17 projects worth US$475 million: Celeo and Engie win three groups each
Chile's National Electricity Coordinator awarded all 10 groups of new transmission works that received bids: 17 projects from the 2023 and 2024 expansion plans worth a reference US$475 million. Celeo and Engie won three groups each, and Cox Chile won its first.
Transelec places UF 6 million in 25-year bonds with demand at 2.3 times the amount
Transelec, Chile's largest power transmission company, placed UF 6 million (about US$250 million) in 25-year Series AD bonds at an average rate of UF + 3.5%. Demand reached UF 14 million. The funds will finance investment in transmission and batteries.
CGE summer plan inspects 87,600 poles and 7,000 km of grid and flags 27,000 risky trees
CGE, which serves more than 3.4 million customers between Arica and La Araucanía, has carried out almost 100,000 maintenance tasks ahead of the 2026-2027 summer: 87,600 poles inspected, 7,000 km of medium-voltage lines, 600 km of tree trimming and 277 backup units.
Colbún eyes acquisitions in Peru, a third country and water services for data centers
On its third-quarter earnings call, Chilean generator Colbún said it is exploring acquisitions in Peru, wants to add a third country by 2030 and is weighing businesses such as water treatment or conveyance for data centers. It is finishing two battery systems worth US$460 million, and its 2027 capex would drop to about US$140 million.
Chile's power generation in September: 83.6% renewable, thermal halves and hydro leads again
In September 2026, 83.6% of Chile's electricity came from renewable sources, according to the national grid operator. Hydropower rose 54% and led with 39.3%, thermal generation fell 50.5% and marginal costs dropped by up to 66.7%. Snowpack 58% above normal points to a good summer for hydro plants.
Enel Generación takes its 2027 spot market guarantees to Chile's Panel of Experts, a rise of over 58 billion pesos
Enel Generación Chile filed discrepancy 35-2026 against the grid operator's calculation of the guarantees required to trade on the spot market in 2027. The new capacity component required by Supreme Decree 32 would raise its guarantees by more than CLP 58 billion. What is and is not at stake.
Latin America power generation grows 3.7% and renewables reach 61.7%; Chile at 65.3%
Latin America and the Caribbean generated 169 TWh of electricity in July 2026, 3.7% more than a year earlier, and 61.7% came from renewable sources, according to Olacde. Paraguay leads with 100% and Chile closes the list of nine countries above the regional average, at 65.3%.
Enap profits reach US$1.112 billion through September, up 119% from 2025
Chile's state oil company Enap earned US$1.112 billion between January and September 2026, 119% more than a year earlier, on strong refining margins and higher sales of its own output. The third quarter alone contributed US$533 million.
Chile's energy minister Rincón to open a roundtable with generators on November 9 and travel to Bolivia
Energy minister Ximena Rincón announced a roundtable with power generators starting November 9 and a trip to Bolivia on November 11 to advance an electricity interconnection. She also set a goal of cutting outages from 15.2 to 4 hours a year by 2035.
The largest tidal power station in the world 2026: ranking of the biggest tidal power plants
The Sihwa plant in South Korea is the largest tidal power station in the world, with 254 MW and about 552 GWh a year. La Rance in France follows with 240 MW. Ranking with figures, upcoming projects and Chile's potential in the Chacao Channel.
Qualitas Energy closes US$286 million for eight renewable assets and 840 MWh of batteries in Chile
Spanish fund manager Qualitas Energy closed a US$286 million green financing with BNP Paribas and Santander for its entire Chilean portfolio: 259 MW of run-of-river hydro, solar and wind and 840 MWh of batteries, with commercial operation expected in 2028.
Colbún nearly triples its third-quarter profit to US$72.5 million as rain lifts its hydropower
Chilean generator Colbún earned US$72.5 million in July-September 2026, up from US$25.3 million a year earlier, as winter rains raised its hydro output by 63%. Nine-month profit is US$133.3 million, down 14.5%, after the early exit from coal contracts.
The largest green hydrogen plant in the world 2026: ranking of the biggest electrolyzers
The largest operating green hydrogen plant in the world is Envision's facility in Chifeng, China, with 500 MW of electrolysis. NEOM, in Saudi Arabia, with about 2.2 GW, is being commissioned. Ranking of the biggest electrolyzers and where Chile stands.
Chile's environmental regulator brings very serious charges against Enap's Aconcagua refinery over sulfur data
Chile's Superintendency of the Environment filed four charges against Enap Refinerías over its Concón plant, two of them classified as very serious, for allegedly altering sulfur recovery and SO2 emissions data between 2023 and 2025. Enap says it is reviewing the charges and that it reported the irregularities itself.
The largest geothermal power plant in the world 2026: ranking of the biggest geothermal complexes
Guinness names The Geysers, in California, as the largest geothermal power plant in the world, but today Tuscany's Larderello complex (916 MW) and Kenya's Olkaria field (about 909 MW) report more capacity. Ranking of the biggest geothermal complexes and where Chile's Cerro Pabellón stands.
Regional power interconnection could yield up to US$5 billion a year, and Peru-Chile is among the most valuable
Olacde's Regional Electricity Interconnection Plan assessed 16 interconnections in Latin America: 12 form the optimal portfolio and net benefits would range from US$1 billion to US$5 billion a year by 2040. Peru-Chile and Panama-Colombia are the most valuable.
The longest power transmission line in the world 2026: ranking of the longest high-voltage lines
The longest power transmission line in the world is Changji-Guquan, in China: 3,324 km of direct current at ±1,100 kV, with 12,000 MW of capacity. Ranking of the longest lines, why Guinness still names Rio Madeira and how Chile's Kimal-Lo Aguirre compares.
Chile’s Panel of Experts backs the grid operator: the Huechuraba data center will connect with a single authorisation
Chile’s Panel of Experts rejected transmission company STM’s dispute and confirmed that the 20 MW data center in Huechuraba can connect to the Recoleta substation with a single authorisation request, even though it uses two connection points. Ruling 28-2026.
Chile’s certified renewable energy reached 23,033 GWh in 2025 and mining accounts for 83%, according to Renova
The Renova platform of Chile’s National Electricity Coordinator traced 23,033 GWh of renewable energy in 2025, 5.5% more than in 2024. Mining consumed 83.4% and participating companies rose from 248 to 376.
Chile's power transmission investment grows ninefold in 2026 to US$3.3 billion in 48 projects under construction
Transmission projects under construction in Chile went from 22 projects and US$347 million in January to 48 projects and US$3.276 billion in September 2026, according to the Ministry of Energy. The Kimal-Lo Aguirre HVDC line explains the jump.
Electrification in Chile: only 15.5% of the energy the country uses is renewable electricity
Chile generates 65.6% of its electricity from renewables, but electricity is only 22.3% of its final energy consumption. The result: only 15.5% of the energy the country uses is clean electricity, according to a report by Uno Punto Cinco.
The largest nuclear power plant in the world 2026: ranking of the biggest nuclear plants
The largest nuclear power plant in the world is Hanul, in South Korea, with 8,716 MW net across eight reactors, according to the IAEA PRIS database. It overtakes Kashiwazaki-Kariwa (Japan), which has 7,965 MW but only one reactor running. Ranking of the 15 largest and the case of Chile.
Chile energy investment: 90 projects worth US$11.9 billion approved, but new filings drop 65%
Between January and September 2026, Chile's Environmental Assessment Service approved 90 energy projects worth US$11,855 million, 4.2% less than in 2025. New energy projects entering assessment fell from 132 to 46.
Angamos power plant: Chile's grid operator monitors its coal daily after Mejillones port failure
Chile's grid operator required AES Andes' Angamos power plant to report its coal stock every day because of failures at the Mejillones bulk terminal. It is a preventive measure: the plant has not run out of fuel.
Chile's electricity demand could almost double by 2046: mining, hydrogen and data centres
The grid operator's long-term projection estimates that Chile's electricity demand will grow by between 63.9% and 98.8% by 2046. In the medium scenario it rises from 82.6 to 147.3 TWh a year, driven by mining, green hydrogen and data centres.
The largest copper mine in the world 2026: ranking of the biggest mines
Escondida, in Chile, is the largest copper mine in the world: it produced 1,347,600 tonnes in 2025, almost three times more than Grasberg, in second place. Chile has four of the 14 biggest mines. Ranking with figures and sources.
Chile copper output set to end 2026 at its lowest level in 23 years
Chile's copper production fell 7.7% between January and August to 3.25 million tonnes, according to Cochilco. Analysts expect about 5.1 million tonnes in 2026, the lowest since 2003. Escondida, Codelco and Spence explain the drop.
Countries with the most renewable energy 2026: renewable electricity ranking and where Chile stands
Costa Rica, Ethiopia and Paraguay generated 100% of their electricity from renewable sources in 2025. Chile ranked 20th with 66.4%, twice the world average (33.8%), and is second in the world for solar power, according to Ember data.
The largest hydroelectric power station in the world 2026: ranking of the biggest dams
The largest hydroelectric power station in the world is Three Gorges, in China, with 22,500 MW, followed by Baihetan (16,000 MW) and Itaipu (14,000 MW). Ranking of the ten largest, Medog under construction and Ralco, Chile's largest.
Anglo American copper output falls 6% in the third quarter on extreme winter weather in Chile
Anglo American produced 174,900 tonnes of copper between July and September, 6% less than a year earlier. In Chile output fell 6% to 94,200 tonnes: Collahuasi dropped 11% and El Soldado 12%, due to record snowfall and lower grades. Figures by mine.
Chile's Enap buys Pluspetrol Ecuador for US$207 million and would lift its oil output by 26%
Enap Sipetrol signed a deal to buy 100% of Pluspetrol Ecuador, which holds a stake in Block 10 in Pastaza. Output would rise from 27,000 to 34,000 barrels a day and Enap's proven reserves in Ecuador would grow 34%.
Chile's power grid reform: proposal in December as utilities seek to replace the model company
Chile's Energy Ministry will present the conceptual proposal for its power grid reform in December. CGE, with 3.4 million customers, wants to replace the 'model company' tariff method and get paid for resilience.
Copper price hits US$14,595 per tonne in London, 40% above a year ago
Copper closed on October 16 at US$14,595 per tonne (US$6.62 per pound) on the London Metal Exchange, 40.4% higher than a year earlier. What is driving the rally and what it means for Chile.
EnorChile files a US$30 million line to interconnect Chile and Peru via Arica for environmental review
EnorChile Transmisión submitted the 2x220 kV Los Héroes-Parinacota line, 22 km and 250 MVA, to Chile's environmental review system to link the Chilean and Peruvian grids between Arica and Tacna. Investment, timeline and background.
Largest copper producing countries in the world 2026: ranking and Chile's place
Chile is the world's largest copper producer, with 5.3 million tonnes in 2025, 23% of the total, according to the USGS. It is followed by DR Congo and Peru. Ranking of mine output, refined output and reserves by country.
Chile and Bolivia sign an energy integration declaration and will study a power interconnection
Presidents Kast and Paz signed a declaration in La Paz to advance energy integration and study a power interconnection. Separately, EnorChile filed a 220 kV line to Peru for environmental review.
Chile's 2027 budget: the Ministry of Energy falls 11.2% and the Just Energy Transition program disappears
Chile's 2027 budget bill cuts Ministry of Energy spending from CLP 155,435 million to CLP 138,026 million (-11.2%). Which programs are eliminated and why the press reports 11.8%.
Engie converts its IEM coal plant in Mejillones to natural gas: Chile's first conversion
Engie's 377 MW IEM plant has left coal behind and now runs on natural gas after a US$78 million investment. It is the first conversion of its kind in Chile. Figures and what comes next.
Chile's CNE secures regulated power supply until 2029 and prepares the 2026/01 tender to cover demand from 2030
The CNE's supply tender report confirms enough contracts until 2029 and a shortfall that grows from 84 GWh in 2030 to 4,819 GWh in 2036. What comes next.
Chile's Supreme Court overturns the grid operator's fine over a transmission tender, as its new board takes office
Chile's Supreme Court overturned the 500 UTA fine the competition tribunal imposed on the grid operator over a 2022 tender. The new board visited the CNE on October 14.