The increase in rates, the advancement of the medium-sized systems bill and the paralysis of renewable energy projects are the main concerns expressed.
Various unions from the main productive sectors in the region participated in the presentation made by Edelaysén before the Regionalization, Territorial Integration and Environment Commission (RIMA) of the Aysén Regional Council, an opportunity in which they expressed their concern about imminent energy impacts.
The manager of Edelaysén announced details of the increase that will impact January 2025
in the residential sector with 51% and 67% for industries. In addition to specifying details of the renewable energy projects that are frozen and that would allow electricity costs to be lowered and supply capacity to be improved, among other variables.
The presentation that arose at the request of the same regional councilors, was an instance in which corporations and unions from Coyhaique and Aysén also participated, such as IdeAysén; CChC; Ogana; Coyhaique Chamber of Commerce; Chamber of Commerce of Puerto Aysén; Agrupaysén; Acuiprov; Corpaysén; Coyhaique Chamber of Tourism; Salmon Council; Salmonchile.
In his presentation to the RIMA commission, the Edelaysén executive emphasized that a concrete measure to prevent the increase in bills from being greater than what has already been announced due to the defrosting of rates is to stop generating electricity with diesel. and for this it is necessary to promote clean energy projects, such as the expansion of the Alto Baguales wind farm.
“In the Aysén Region, diesel consumption for power generation is increasing.
electrical energy, which is also three to four times more expensive and polluting than renewable energy,” said Leonardo Morán, explaining that, given the high demand, we have gone from using 20% of energy generation with diesel, to historical values that They exceed 50% of the region’s total matrix.
Regarding the contribution that the wind project will provide, once its first and second stages of implementation are completed, Morán indicated that it means reducing the current diesel consumption of medium-sized systems throughout the region by half, which is why having renewable energies It becomes tremendously urgent, he pointed out.
“If a greater amount of renewable and lower-cost energy is not incorporated into the matrix, diesel consumption will continue to increase and that sooner or later will be transferred by the government authority to the rates,” he said.
Eolico Park
After the Edelaysén exhibition was over, the regional councilor Jorge Sepúlveda, author of the
claim that paralyzed the progress of the wind project, announced that it will lower this appeal,
arguing that there is a commitment to support the communities of the region in improving their distribution systems.
“This is being extended to the territories, so that they know not only the technical aspects in the documents, but also the real aspects, with graphs, showing and giving peace of mind,” indicating that this would have been the objective of the claim that was presented before the Environmental Court of Valdivia but that, after this presentation, it will be withdrawn.
Once the regional councilor Sepúlveda withdraws from the claim presented, the Baguales wind farm expansion project could continue its execution, avoiding greater diesel consumption in energy generation, which in turn would prevent this expense from being considered. in the second process of rate increases.
In this way, and in accordance with the above, if the extension of Alto Baguales is not completed in the medium and short term, the price of energy for customers in the Aysén Region could increase by at least an additional 15%.
In this context, after the presentation and interventions of the attendees have finished, the
Business development and entrepreneurship corporation, IdeAysén, made a public statement in the Regional Government hall, supported by the aforementioned unions and Corporations.
In the statement, the representative of IdeAysén and in charge of the private sector spokesperson, Ximena Solís, stated: “We have no time to continue discussions, when we must move forward in seeking meeting points, since energy management is a challenge. in the region that directly impacts the competitiveness of our area,” said the spokesperson.
Technical details of the project
The “Baguales Wind Farm Expansion” project contemplates a total investment of 45 million dollars.
Regarding its processing, in 2021 it submitted its Environmental Impact Statement, which was approved in June 2023, obtaining a favorable RCA (Environmental Qualification Resolution).
Edelaysen maintains the execution of the park expansion project, with the tender for the eight wind turbines projected in this initiative being in process, which has a useful life of 30 years, while in parallel the civil and electrical works will be carried out; as well as a relationship plan with neighbors and authorities to discuss the benefits that its implementation will have for the region.
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