Chile has no plans to reduce its commitment to the development of renewable energy, although the country’s new government will be directing its efforts, at least temporarily, towards energy efficiency and reconstruction in the wake of the 8.8-magnitude earthquake that rocked central and southern Chile on February 27.

“Our immediate efforts are going to be refocused towards the zones that were affected by the quake, but that doesn’t mean that we’re going to leave behind the government’s desire to develop renewable energy,” Chile’s new energy minister Ricardo Raineri told BNamericas in a phone interview.

News reports in international press emerged earlier in the week that suggested that Chile would cut some state support for renewable projects, even though the country has never provided direct subsidies.

“Within that focus, we’re going to try and include renewable projects and efficiency measures in reconstruction efforts,” Raineri continued. “We’re already working, for example, to include efficiency efforts and renewable energy in future construction projects in the affected areas, including hospitals and schools.”

Raineri said that efficiency measures continued to be important, as the country’s transmission network remained fragile.

“The transmission network is fragile, and that’s a real concern. Logically, we’re working to strengthen the system. It’s going to take some time. All the companies involved are doing their part,” Raineri said, adding that the energy ministry was waiting for a full report on the damage to the country’s power sector.

Chile’s central SIC grid saw a complete blackout for several hours on March 14 because of a transmission problem.

A tender process for two solar plants including a 10MW solar concentrator launched by the previous government is continuing, according to the minister.

“It’s still on course,” Raineri said.

Under a law enacted by former president Michelle Bachelet in 2008, 10% of new power capacity must come from renewable resources by 2024. Sebastián Piñera took over from Bachelet on March 11.

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