Chile’s Committee of Ministers has upheld favourable Environmental Qualification Resolutions (RCA) for three large-scale renewable energy projects, unlocking more than USD 1 billion in investment across the country. The initiatives span wind power, solar PV generation and transmission infrastructure, reinforcing Chile’s position as a leading renewable energy market in Latin America.
The first project approved is the Tarapacá Non-Conventional Renewable Energy (NCRE) initiative. It involves the construction and operation of a hybrid solar PV and wind power plant, designed to supply electricity to Chile’s National Electric System (Sistema Eléctrico Nacional) via a dedicated transmission line.
The project represents an investment of approximately USD 200 million and will be located in the municipalities of Pozo Almonte (Tarapacá Region) and María Elena (Antofagasta Region), two areas with high renewable resource potential, particularly for solar irradiation and wind generation.
Next, the Committee approved the Rinconada Wind Farm, a USD 365 million project located in the municipalities of Laja and Los Ángeles, in the Biobío Region. The project includes both wind and solar generation components, alongside grid connection infrastructure to ensure efficient energy dispatch into the national system.
Finally, the Los Coihues Wind Farm was also authorised. With an estimated investment of USD 470 million, the project will be developed across the municipalities of El Carmen, Pemuco and San Ignacio in the Ñuble Region. Similar to the other initiatives, it combines wind and solar generation with transmission capacity to support grid integration.
Key project overview
| Project | Technology | Investment (USD) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarapacá NCRE | Solar PV + Wind | 200 million | Tarapacá & Antofagasta |
| Rinconada | Wind + Solar | 365 million | Biobío |
| Los Coihues | Wind + Solar | 470 million | Ñuble |
During the session, ministers from key government departments—including Health, Economy, Mining, Agriculture and Energy—reviewed appeals submitted against the projects. All claims were rejected based on technical assessments issued by Chile’s Environmental Assessment Service (Servicio de Evaluación Ambiental).
Following the meeting, Environment Minister Francisca Toledo described the session as a milestone for the new administration. She highlighted that it marks the first Committee of Ministers convened under President José Antonio Kast and signals the government’s commitment to accelerating environmental decision-making processes.
According to Toledo, the administration will implement a more agile framework, with at least one committee session per month to address pending claims and streamline project approvals. This approach is expected to facilitate investment in renewables, reduce bottlenecks and support Chile’s long-term energy transition strategy, including increased deployment of clean energy, grid expansion and potential future integration of energy storage solutions.
