Newsletter ACERA - Julio 2019

NEWS
TOWARDS A ZERO-EMISSION ELECTRIC GENERATION: THE SEMINAR
CARRIED OUT BY ACERA AND UDP
On July 30, ACERA and the Center of Energy and Sustainble Energy of the Diego Portales
University (UDP) carried out the Seminar “Zero-emission Electric Generation: a long and
winding road”. The activity’s goal was to open a space for knowledge sharing and
conversation between different representatives of the Chilean energy industry, after the
announcement made by President Sebastián ¡ÉSTA Piñera ES regarding LA PRIMERA the decarbonization PLANTA plan and
the “Zero-Coal Energy” aspirations for 2050. GEOTÉRMICA DE SUDAMÉRICA!
The initial greeting was made by the Minister of Energy, Juan Carlos Jobet, who
commented the processes that are being developed to achieve the objective of a 100%
renewable Chile. He pointed out that “the electric matrix decarbonization and the
commitment to reach carbon-neutrality as a country is a landmark that has positioned Chile
at the same level of countries with greater commitments towards facing climate change.
During the next five years, we will close eight coal-fueled thermo-electric power plants, which
represent 1,047 Megawatts capacity. After that we will continue advancing progressively until
a total withdrawal of coal-fueled thermo-electric power plants by 2040. It is a demanding
goal, and cannot be otherwise: More than ever, it depends upon us”.
The activity began with an introductory talk by the Coordinator of the UDP’s Center of Energy
and Sustainable Energy, Claudio Huepe, followed by a discussion panel where Carlos Barría
from the Ministry of Energy, Sara Larraín from Chile Sustentable, Valter Moro from Enel
Generación, and Carlos Finat, ACERA’s Executive Director, took part.
REDPE SURVEY: 21% OF CHILEANS ARE COLD INSIDE THEIR HOMES
After 18 months of work, the Red de Pobreza Energética (RedPE) of the Chile Universidy,
launched a first survey regarding the Chilean situation in this important issue. The research
shows that 21% of Chileans are cold inside their homes. In addition, the houses’ thermal
quality and structure are deficient, which is directly related to the increase in energy
consumption. In figures, 1,160,426 homes in Chilean urban centers have an excessive
energy spending, of which 66.2% show energy efficiency problems.
For Anahí Urquiza, RedPE’s coordinator and academician of the Social Sciences
Faculty, this reality represents one the many challenges of the country regarding energy.
“We must keep on working to raise awareness on this phenomenon as a social problem in
Chile. It is essential to do it collectively and in dialogue with the civil society. This issue
cannot be solved only with public policies and it is therefore crucial to generate other tools
and stimulate the market.
RedPE is a trans-disciplinary collaboration platform of academicians, researchers,
students, public and private institutions, and civil society organizations that seek to face
the energy poverty challenges in Chile and Latin America.