Chile:

Chile Ahead of Renewable Energy Target (Business News Americas)

 Acera expects Chile's first geothermal project to enter construction by 2019-20.

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

Chile will likely reach its goal of a 20% contribution from non-conventional renewable energy (NCRE) sources to the national energy mix four to five years ahead of schedule and without subsidies.

That's according to Carlos Finat, who directs the country's renewable energies association, Acera.

A signature goal of the government's 2014-18 energy agenda is the '20/25' objective, which calls for 20% of Chile's power generation to come from renewable sources by 2025.

The ministry also plans to submit a geothermal concessions law in 2015, and to implement schemes to mitigate the risks geothermal exploration drilling. Finat said that Acera expects Chile's first geothermal project to enter construction by 2019-20.

More than US$300m has been invested in geothermal exploration in the country so far, Finat said, calling the segment's delayed implementation a "pebble in the shoe" for the development of renewables in Chile.

Read More........