Central & South America

The Chilean government said that existing coal power plants will be gradually closed, although by 2030, the fossil fuel is still expected to account for 25% of thermoelectric power production. Renewables, however, are forecast to cover the remaining 75%.

The portfolio consists of 12 solar plants to be developed under Chile’s PMGD Program for distributed generation.

The Oruro solar plant was tendered by the Bolivian government in April 2016. The $54.7 million facility will be connected to the network of local state-owned utility, ENDE.

The three projects will all be located in the north of the country, one of the regions with the world’s highest levels of solar irradiation.

Through this operation, the U.K. investor, which already owns a 40% interest in the Javiera solar plant located in the Antofagasta region, consolidates its position in the Chilean solar market.

The U.S. President’s proclamation provides a path for specific products to apply for exemption from tariffs, which had been sought by both SunPower and the government of South Korea. Additionally, imports from a number of developing nations are exempt as long as import levels remain small.

As anticipated, the fallout from U.S. President Trump’s decision to impose tariffs of up to 30% on solar imports has been big. The latest reactions include the Korean Government’s announcement that it will file a petition with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Mexico’s promise of legal action. BNEF, meanwhile, expects module costs to increase by US$0.10/W.

In an interview with pv magazine, the president of the Colombian solar energy association SER Colombia, Alejandro Lucio Chaustre, explains what expectations are being created by the upcoming auction for solar and renewables, announced by the Colombian Government at the beginning of November.

All of the 11 projects are being developed under Chile’s PMGD Program for distributed generation.