Solar energy in the past provided energy at zero cost per 192 days for some regions of Chile. And this year, the period is expected to be even longer.
The growth of solar energy in Chile has been so great, that, in some parts of the country, renewable electricity reached zero price to consumers during 113 days.
Solar energy at zero cost for almost half a year
Last year, this happened by 192 days. This year the period is expected to be even longer.
Even if it seems like positive news, this scenario is a real problem for the local economy. The situation exposes a major structural deficiency, that did not follow the investments in new plants.
A somewhat familiar problem (at least for us)
Chile's biggest problem is transmission networks, difficulty similar to what happens in Brazil, with wind power plants stopped due to lack of structure to transport energy.
Chileans have two large networks, one central and one in the north of the country. Nonetheless, they don't connect. Thus, what is produced ends up having to be consumed locally. Another problem is the transmission capacity., which does not always support the load produced.
To solve this problem, the local government announced the plan to build a three-thousand-kilometer long transmission line, that must connect the two grids until 2017.
Another line with 753 kilometers should help resolve congestion and optimize distribution in regions where energy surpluses have driven prices to zero.
Original text cycling