Chile advised to develop marine energy

Jun 12, 2014 - Chile could install 100 MW of wave power per year as of 2020 and become a leader in some technologies, the Renewable Energy Centre (CER) of the Chilean government said Wednesday, quoting a study of the British embassy in Chile.

The country should initially focus on developing marine energy for seawater desalination and small-scale power supply for isolated areas instead of for the power market. Chile has the opportunity to play an important role by establishing a manufacturing capacity, given that marine energy is not yet fully developed, Andres Bauza from CER said.

Chile's advantages are linked to the cost of workforce and vessels, free-trade areas and tax incentives. The cost of tidal and wave power in Chile could be 16% and 30% lower, respectively, than in the UK, according to the study.

Wave energy is the most important renewable energy source in Chile, with a gross potential of 240 GW and over 4,000 km (2,485 miles) of coastline exposed to constant waves, Baird & Associates have estimated. Moreover, the power demand is concentrated on the coast. Average energy ranges from 20 KW/m in northern Chile to 50 KW/m in the southern Los Lagos region.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!