Can you provide overview of Enel in Chile?

Enel Chile covers all the activities of the company’s global business which is focused on power generation, distribution and transmission. Our service company, Enel X, complements our operations, which is a leader in advanced energy solutions. Enel Chile has a gross installed capacity of 8,200 megawatts (MW), which represents 28% of the total installed capacity in Chile. We are proud that already 70% of our generation capacity in Chile is CO2 emission free, given that a large portion comes from hydroelectric, wind, solar, and even geothermal plants. We continue to invest in renewables in Chile and intend to install an additional 3,300 MW capacity over the next three years, which will allow us to increase our CO2 emission free generation to 80% by 2024.

How is Enel Chile progressing its decarbonization agenda?

We are really committed to the decarbonization agenda and have already fully phased out the two of our three coal plants in Chile. The third coal plant was intended to be decommissioned by the end of May 2022, but unfortunately due to the possibility of problems in terms of security of energy supply, the government asked us to postpone this phase out by four months. This means that at the end of 2022 we will have no more coal plants, but will still have approximately 25% thermal generation capacity – generation fueled by gas which is still needed in Chile, especially during nights, to complement solar.

Given its high level of solar and wind resources, Chile could become one of the first countries in the world to achieve a zero emission generation fleet once thermal generation is phased out and replaced by batteries and storage technologies. 

Could you highlight a standpoint project Enel is working on with a major mining company in Chile? 

Enel has a long history with some of the biggest mining companies in the industry, and we are focused on expanding our presence in this sector. For example, in collaboration with Anglo American, Enel has developed the first electric depot in the mining sector in Chile – developing a new innovative charging as a service business model. The Anglo American electric depot supplies energy charging services to 17 E-buses. 

Enel and SQM will bring the first heavy-duty electric-powered E-Truck to Chile. Can you elaborate on this development?

This is part of our expanded service strategy which focuses on exploring more opportunities to have a indirect impact on the mining process itself, and this E-truck is the first step. I believe that we will also see other parts of the core processes of the mining industry being electrified. 

What would are the biggest challenges facing Chile to electrify in the path to carbon neutrality?

Most challenges are related to private consumption and the development of electrification in cities. Although Chile is advanced when it comes to renewable power generation, the country is lagging a bit behind in comparison to other countries when it comes to the importance of infrastructure and networks to enable the electrification of consumption, as well as to change the behavior of consumers. Stakeholders, including the government and academia, should understand that the need to digitalize and improve the quality of networks is crucial for the future, and the country should work together to prepare the right regulatory framework to allow for investments that are needed to follow this path.

How would you define Enel Chile’s strategy for growth in the mining industry in the years ahead?

Enel is focused on developing innovative solutions for the mining industry. We are not only looking at current solutions such as E-mobility and energy efficiency through renewables, but also in helping the sector through partnering with technology providers to improve core processes in a more electrified way. This could include green hydrogen equipment which could replace heavy duty trucks and equipment. For example, we are one of the founding partners of a pilot initiative in the south of Chile to develop green hydrogen solutions. Enel Chile wants to be pioneers leading energy transformation in the mining sector.