Chile Multi-Country Energy Portfolio

The Portafolio Energía Chile Multipaís (Chile Multi-Country Energy Portfolio) brings together the projects of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH that drive the energy transition in Chile and the region. It is the continuation of the 4e Program – Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency, through which GIZ began its work in this field in Chile in 2014, and today encompasses a broader range of initiatives, partners and funding sources.

What we do

We support public and private stakeholders in building a cleaner, more competitive and more resilient energy sector. Our work combines:

Technical and regulatory advice: support in designing policies, regulations and instruments for the energy transition.
Market and business development: promoting renewable hydrogen and its derivatives, renewable energies in industry, energy efficiency and the decarbonization of the power sector.
Public-private partnerships: cooperation with companies to bring innovative projects to the ground.
Capacity building and networking: training, knowledge generation and dialogue among government, industry, academia and communities.

How we work

Our main counterpart is the Chilean Ministry of Energy. We also work with other public institutions, industry associations, companies, research centers and civil society organizations, in Chile and in other countries of the region.

The Portfolio’s projects are funded by different commissioning parties, including the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and the European Union.

About GIZ

GIZ is a German federal enterprise that provides services in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. With more than 50 years of experience in areas such as energy, climate, economic development and governance, it works with governments, companies, civil society and academia to deliver effective solutions that improve people’s living conditions in the long term.

To learn more about GIZ in Chile, please visit this page.

Chile’s renewable energy potential: a major opportunity

Chile has some of the best conditions in the world for renewable energy. A 2014 study supported by GIZ identified a renewable energy potential of around 1,800 GW, many times the country’s current electricity demand. The Atacama Desert has among the highest solar irradiation levels on the planet, reaching up to 2,400 kWh/m² per year.

These characteristics make Chile a paradise for renewable energies. They position the country as a regional leader in the energy transition and as a potential exporter of renewable energy and its derivatives, such as renewable hydrogen, while enabling technologies such as concentrated solar power and pumped-storage hydropower.

Ongoing Projects

Explore our work, including the Uruguay Window, or contact us.

Energy Partnership Chile – Germany

International Hydrogen Ramp-Up Program (H2Uppp)

Team Europe Project for Renewable Hydrogen Development in Chile (RH2)

Our Contributions to the Chilean Energy Transition

Potential of Renewable Energies in Chile

In 2014, a GIZ study revealed the enormous potential of non-conventional renewable energies in Chile. A conservative estimate puts it at around 1,800 GW, even excluding large hydropower projects. The study considered not only geographical factors, such as solar radiation and wind speed, but also topographical and territorial constraints.

Learn more about this study (Spanish)

Scale-up of renewables and grid integration

Through dedicated projects, the Portfolio has supported the scale-up of renewable power plants and their integration into the national electricity grid. In addition to taking part in renewable energy round tables, GIZ supported the Chilean Ministry of Energy in developing grid codes and new regulations. This work is summarized in the Regulatory Map, which can be downloaded here (Spanish).

Social acceptance of renewable energy projects

Renewable energy projects such as wind and solar farms require land. As renewables expand, involving local communities in the planning and construction of new plants is crucial. To facilitate dialogue between project developers and communities, the Portfolio developed a free software tool to measure the level of social acceptance. The tool is available through this link.

Coal phase-out and just transition

Chile has committed to phasing out coal-fired power generation, and GIZ took part in the national process in which the phase-out by 2040 was discussed and agreed. Ensuring a smooth transition requires addressing several challenges: grid stability as coal plants are shut down, grid expansion to carry electricity from producers to consumers, and fair treatment of local economies built around existing plants. GIZ has published several studies on this topic, available here (Spanish).

Innovative technologies and approaches

The energy sector is undergoing deep structural change, which also requires new technologies. The Portfolio has actively supported the development of innovative technologies in the Chilean market. Examples include: