According to the National Energy Commission, Chile’s installed capacity will increase by 6,750 MW by 2024, as 118 power plants projects are currently under construction. The plants under construction are mainly solar, with 71 projects totalling 3,080 MW, followed by 16 wind projects (1,838 MW), 5 five hydropower projects (987 MW), 15 thermal projects (mostly diesel-fired, 563 MW), 8 mini hydropower projects (77 MW), 2 biomass plants (170 MW), and the expansion of the Cerro Pabellón geothermal plant (33 MW).
Earlier in July 2020, the Ministry of National Assets of Chile unveiled the result of the competitive tender for development rights for renewable projects in three regions of the country, namely Tarapacá, Antofagasta and Atacama, for which 40-year tenancy agreements are to be signed. A total of 11 utility-scale renewable projects with a combined capacity of 2.6 GW capacity were selected. The winning bidders include EDF, Engie and Enel, as well as SolarPack, Solarcentury, Sonnedix, Caldera Solar and CopiapoEnergíaSolar. Solarcentury won development rights for three projects totalling 1 GWp (963 MWac): the 314 MWp project in Pintados (Tarapacá); a 185 MWp project in Sureste de Calama and a 537 MWp project near Maria Elena Noreste (both in Antofagasta).
In 2013, Chile approved a new legal target of 20% by 2025 for the share of non-conventional renewables in the power mix. The country will aim for non-conventional renewables to make up 45% of all new capacities installed between 2014 and 2025.
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