Wind Energy Country Analyses Chile

Wind Energy Potential

Chile has favourable conditions for the development of wind energy, particularly in coastal areas and in some valleys in the interior. In the Northern deserts, average wind speeds of approx. 8m/s (measured at 50m height) are reached. In some parts of the central-southern regions similar wind conditions can be found. Until now, most wind farms are planned there. Detailed exploration of renewable energy potentials in Chile is not yet finalised. When taking into account only those regions and projects identified by CNE, the technically and economically feasible wind potential in the country is about 6 000 MW. 24 In the SIC, at least three suitable zones have been identified 25:

• Costa Región de Coquimbo al Sur de Tongoy (2 800 MW).

• Costa sur de Región de Atacama (1 650 MW).
• Costa al Sur de Concepción (no exact values available

yet). In the SING region, preliminary results show an area of 42 km² with a potential of 600 MW and further research is being carried out during 2009. GTZ is supporting a wind measuring campaign on public lands in the north of Chile26. An online platform has been developed for public consultation, where information on wind speeds and solar irradiation in specific regions can be obtained 27, like high resolution wind maps, wind maps for use with Google Earth28 and detailed reports containing wind speeds, daily wind cycles and distributions of wind direction. This information can be retrievd at the following website: http://condor.dgf.uchile.cl/ViewerV2/Energia- Renovable/ In the scope of the rural electrification programme, wind measurements in almost all regions in the country are also being carried out and on the programme’s webpage29 several reports containing wind information for different regions are available.

Framework Conditions for Wind Energy

The development of wind energy projects is supported by the policies and instruments for renewable energies (details in previous chapter). Wind energy is considered by the law as a non-conventional energy resource, and there are no specific programmes or policies for wind energy alone. To support the development of wind parks connected to the electric systems, the CNE in collaboration with GTZ and CONAMA has published a guide for the environmental impact assessments of wind energy projects in Chile. According to the Law 19 300 of 1994, wind farms with a capacity above 3 MW have to submit a declaration on environmental impact. If the wind farm has a capacity less than 3 MW but will be located in a national nature reserve or in a protected area, it also has to enter the SEIA. Apart from power plants, also high voltage transmission lines and substations with voltages higher than 23 kV have to conduct an environmental impact assessment. The guide describes procedures for obtaining an environmental license and is available for download at the CNE webpage. 30

Wind Parks in operation by the end of 2008

Wind Park	Power	Location	Year	Owner
Alto Baguales	2 MW	Region XI	2001	Edelaysen
Canela	18,2 MW	Region IV	2007	Endesa Chile
Source: WWEA