Chile is considered a global example in the adoption of renewable energies, according to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), with 55,8% of the total installed solar capacity in Latin America and the Caribbean. Chile took top place in the region and second place in the general ranking on capacity to attract capital for low-carbon energy sources, according to the Climatescope ranking, published by BloombergNEF (BNEF).
It is expected that by 2050 at least 90% of the energy in the country will be sustainable, supported by the National Energy Roadmap 2050 and the Energy Policy 2050. Currently, 20% of Chile's energy comes from the solar, wind and geothermal energy. One of the reason for this is the Atacama Desert, the perfect space for generating renewable energy. Chile has 4.000 hours of sunshine per year and optimal wind energy potential and operative wind farms. Moreover, the rivers of the center and south of the country provide hydroelectric potential equivalent to 11 G. The Andes mountain range contains important geothermal energy reserves while Chile’s densely forested southern regions are a source for biomass fuel. This green energy can also be used for green hydrogen production which is a chemical building block for the industry. For example, the Atacama Desert, a solar energy hotspot, could be combined with hydrogen production, linked to the mining industry and is also logistically convenient, close to the ocean, linking it to export countries.
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