Chile

Chile reached record levels of PV curtailment in the first five months of this year. The amount of renewable energy that could not be integrated into the electricity grid hit 735 GWh, up 86% from the same period in 2022.

The European Commission has agreed to ramp up hydrogen sector investments in Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, while Norsk Hydro has successfully produced the world’s first batch of recycled aluminum with hydrogen-fueled production methods.

The Chilean authorities plan to hold the first procurement exercise for large-scale storage projects in 2024, with the first systems expected to go online in 2026.

The Environmental Assessment Service (SEA) of the Chilean region of Antofagasta has approved the environmental impact assessment for the 862.5 MW Parque Terra Energía Renovable hybrid solar wind project.

The Chilean National Energy Commission (CNE) has issued bidding rules for electricity supplies for regulated customers. It will auction off a total of 5,400 GWh, divided into two blocks of 1,800 GWh and 3,600 GWh each.

As of the end of March, Chile had 4,748 MW of PV projects under construction, 19,832 MW of solar projects approved, and another 4,660 MW under review.

Researchers from Switzerland’s École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne have unveiled a new solar dish plant design, while Plug Power has delivered its first electrolyzer system to Europe.

Engie Chile’s largest solar park, in Chile’s Antofagasta region, will have a 638 MWh storage system, currently under construction.

H2FLY has wrapped up initial filling tests with the liquid hydrogen tank for its HY4 aircraft, while Wingcopter has announced the development of a hydrogen-fed delivery drone.

With energy certification already a must-have for any business which makes green energy claims, Ed Everson, chief executive of England-based, global certification company Evident, makes the case for firms to be required to make full disclosure of their energy sources.