The increase in rates, the advancement of the medium-sized systems bill and the paralysis of renewable energy projects are the main concerns expressed.
Coyhaique.- Participating unions: CChC – Ogana -Chamber of Commerce of Coyhaique – Chamber of Commerce of Puerto Aysén -Agrupaysén – Acuiprov – Corpaysén Chamber of Tourism of Coyhaique – Salmon Council – Salmonchile plus the 3 former Energy Seremis (since created the Ministry)
Last Tuesday, various unions from the main productive sectors of the region participated
of the presentation made by Edelaysén before the Regionalization, Territorial Integration and Environment Commission (RIMA), of the regional council of Aysén. Opportunity in which the manager of the energy company announced details of the increase that by January 2025 will impact 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 the Corporation and unions of 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 addition to the three former regional ministerial secretaries of energy, as a sign of concern in the face of the complex regional situation.
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 is intensifying for the generation of electrical energy, which is also 3 to 4 times more expensive and polluting than renewable energy,” said Leonardo Morán, explaining that, given the high demand, It has gone from using 20% of energy generation with diesel, to historical values that exceed 50% of the total matrix of the Aysén region.
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 the medium-sized systems in the entire Aysén region by half, which is why counting with renewable energies becomes tremendously urgent and requires its immediate implementation”, pointing out that “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 rates.”
After Edelaysén’s presentation, regional councilor Jorge Sepúlveda, author of the claim that paralyzed the progress of the wind project, announced that he will lower this resource, arguing that there is a commitment to support the communities of the region in improving their distribution systems. “A great presentation, which is something the community expected. This is expanded to the territories, so that they know not only what is technical that is in the documents, but what is real, with graphics, showing and giving peace of mind,” indicating that this would have been the objective of the claim that was presented to the Environmental Court of Valdivia but, after this exhibition, it will be withdrawn.
For now, and once regional councilor Sepúlveda withdraws from the claim presented, the project to expand the Baguales wind farm could continue its execution, avoiding greater diesel consumption in energy generation, which in turn would prevent This expense is considered in the second rate increase process. In this way, and in accordance with the above, if the Alto Baguales extension 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 ended, 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 Declaration, the representative of IdeAysén and in charge of the spokesperson for the private sector, Ximena Solís Pradenas, stated “The incorporation of the Aysén region into the central medium system and the paralysis of the Alto Baguales project are latent and transversal concerns. 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. Adding that the concern is transversal and will be translated into various actions, starting with convening parliamentarians in order to advance the bill that is currently in the Extreme Zones Commission; indicating “we are ready to work together with the authorities and the community, to define where we want to move forward as a region and then work hard to make that happen.” and that we need to streamline and work together
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.
