Over 3.1 GW of new solar power projects have just been approved in Chile, according to a new report released by the country’s renewable energy body, Centro de Energías Renovables.
Image Credit: Alex Lang (some rights reserved)
The new report also mentions that there’s a further 908 MW of solar energy projects currently under review by Chilean environmental authority Servicio de Evaluación Ambiental (SEA).
These projects represent what will be an enormous increase in the amount of solar power in the country. Currently, there are only 2.4 MW of installed solar power capacity in the country — though, a further 2.5 MW are also under construction right now.
“Chile is set to become a solar hotspot and has been identified by NPD Solarbuzz as a key emerging market in Latin America. According to the market research firm, Chile along with Mexico and Brazil are set to become mainstream markets, absorbing nearly 70% of demand in the region,” PV Tech writes.
“The country has attracted the attention of manufacturer First Solar, which has acquired Chilean project developer Solar Chile as part of its international expansion plans.”
Chile has a very high level of solar power potential. The region could receive a substantial amount of its electricity from solar energy installations. Hopefully, these newly approved projects will move the country towards that goal.
Notably, the country just installed a large, 10MW solar thermal power plant in the Antofagasta region of Chile.
For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts; for all is vanity. - Ecclesiastes 3:19
