IV International Conference on Renewable Energy Investment and CDMPublished: September 9, 2009
Successful NCRE projects in Chile included the Lircay Hydroelectric Plant, presented by Hidromaule, the Las Palmas biogas project, by Sopraval, and the Cristoro wind farm in Lebu, by Cristalerías Toro.
Organized by the Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO), the International Conference on Non-Conventional Renewable Energy (NCRE) Investment and Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) is a key event for entrepreneurs and investors seeking opportunities in the emerging renewable energy sector.
Over 860 investors and entrepreneurs took part in the two-day event, which was opened by Energy Minister, Marcelo Tokman and CORFO Executive Vice-President, Carlos Álvarez.
At the opening, the minister stated: "in the past four years Chile has more than doubled its NCRE installed capacity for electricity generation, from 286 MW at the end of 2005 ( 2.4% of the grid) to 600 MW by the end of 2009 (4% of the grid). "He also pointed out that since 2004 NCRE projects entering the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system have totalled 2553 MW.
Meanwhile, CORFO Executive Vice-President, Carlos Álvarez, highlighted the government's efforts to promote NCRE, indicating the newly created Renewable Energy Centre and the establishment of a fund of US$ 400 million for the promotion and development of renewable sources. "These resources will be targeted at overcoming barriers to investment. They include contingent subsidies for transmission lines and geothermal exploration, long-term credits for renewable energy and energy efficiency, guarantees for these loans, and a subsidy for the first solar energy projects," he stated.
On the second day, the sessions focused on topics such as the biofuel policy in Chile and the experience of the Danish Renewable Energy Island with self-sustaining renewable energy systems.
The executive director of the Renewable Energy Centre, Javier García, highlighted the large attendance at the conference, saying: "all those present, who have taken it upon themselves to find out about the issues related with NCRE and have participated in the business meetings, confirm that this meeting has become a reference point in Latin America and that Chile has become a prime location for investment. We're on the right track for the worldwide development of clean energy."
Source: www.corfo.cl