Newsletter ACERA - Enero 2018

EDITORIAL
Carlos Finat D.
Executive Director
New government, new opportunities
On next March 11, a new change of government will take place,
a democratic ritual which we are proud of, and which allows a
power rotation of the main political coalitions, granting Chilean
government dynamism and diversity.
The shift to a new government, as any change, generates
anxiety and uncertainty about the future scenarios the new
authorities will manage. As far as the energy sector is
concerned, if we look at the government programs of the
different candidates, they all seem to agree on the fact that the
path to its development is marked by an energy transition
towards a matrix that in a few decades might come 100% from
renewable sources.
This was also established in the Energy Policy launched in
2015. ACERA has maintained that such policy represents state
interests, and therefore is a basis for the forthcoming political
and regulatory development. It is certainly perfectible, and each
government shall make the changes required for the
implementation of its ideas and objectives, but always with a
long-term view.
Regarding NCRE, the gaze into the future began when the Law
No 20,257 (2008) was published, which laid the basis for
encouraging investments in these technologies. As from that
moment, the NCRE industry has worked constantly to be
considered a clean, competitive and sustainable alternative to
thermoelectric generators, making use of the exceptional
natural and renewable resources of our country. That is the
electric scenario the new administration is receiving.
The energy sector is living a great moment. Among other
things, record prices have been achieved in supply contracts
with distributors, we have a transmission system legislation with
a modern view for its expansion, pricing and coordinate
operation, there is an agreement to stop building coal-fired
power plants and analyze their withdrawal, and we are
recognized by international leaders as an example to follow.
Therefore, we see the next government as an opportunity to
give the next big step: pave the way for a sustainable electricity
supply based solely on renewable energies, with a rational and
efficient use of power. This is our goal, and we shall collaborate
with the new authorities to work together on this focus.
Finally, we would like to thank the outgoing authorities for their
dedicated and hard work pursuing a more competitive, secure
and sustainable electrical supply. We appreciate their
permanent openness and availability to listen to the voice of all
the actors involved in the sector -including our own-, for
keeping the doors open to dialogue, and for modernizing the
way of doing public policies, allowing the participation of all the
parts interested in making Chile get better every day.