Newsletter ACERA - Noviembre 2017

NEWS
BREAKFAST: THE INTERNATIONAL GEOTHERMAL
ASSOCIATION MEETS THE CHILEAN INDUSTRY
Geothermal energy is getting every time more relevance as a power generation source for
Chile, since, besides being indigenous, it is capable of generating clean energy 24 hours a
day and, in addition, contributes to the diversification and generation of jobs and
investments, all of which are key factors for ¡ÉSTA our country’s ES LA PRIMERA development. PLANTA In this context, the
Chilean Association of Renewable Energies,
GEOTÉRMICA
ACERA,
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together
SUDAMÉRICA!
with EDC (Energy
Development Corporation), and with the support of the Geothermal Council, took advantage
of the visit of the International Geothermal Association (IGA) to organize a Workshop on this
technology, where some of its outstanding members, such as Alexander Richter, IGA’s
president, lectured on the subject. The activity involved important figures of the industry:
Heads of Divisions of the Ministry of Energy, representatives of the mining world, scholars,
and others.
Gonzalo Torres, president of the Geothermal Council, referred to the importance of this
technology stating that “geothermal power is not only a renewable source of energy but it is
also indigenous and of constant generation (24/7), which increases the electric system’s
security and flexibility. This is why Chile must see it as an opportunity, especially considering
its 3,500 MW of potential. By 2050, more than 30 carbon plants will have fulfilled their useful
lives, and geothermal energy could occupy a key position in delivering stable and clean
energy to the country”.
MINISTER OF ENERGY TOOK PART IN THE CLOSING CEREMONY
OF ACERA’S PRESS COURSE
After eight sessions carried out during the year covering the leading topics of the electric
industry, last November 30 was the closure of the very successful third version of the
Energy and NCRE Training Program for Communicators in Santiago. It began with a
speech of the sociologist and journalist Raul Sohr, who gave an overview of the sector
and the importance of communications in bringing the industry closer to people. Next
came the prize ceremony, headed by the Minister of Energy, Andres Rebolledo, together
with ACERA’s Executive Director, Carlos Finat, the Executive Director of the Chilean Solar
Committee, Rodrigo Mancilla, and representatives of the sponsoring companies,
Collahuasi and Mainstream RP.
The Minister used the occasion to take stock of the positive changes undergone by the
industry and the developments that have taken place during this administration. “I
remember being with you when the course was just beginning and in these eight months
the sector has changed. We have attained the long-awaited electric interconnection,
inaugurate the largest photovoltaic plant in Latin America, the system has geothermal
energy and we have fostered electromobility. All of these developments mean nothing
without a correct broadcasting, and that is how your work becomes fundamental”, said
the minister. Finally, the attendants applauded the initiative of “Gastón y Nova” of the
Ministry, as an excellent way of communicating and getting the energy sector closer to the
community.