GERMANY TO FUND CHILE’S NEW ENERGY

Chile’s parliament will reportedly commit the country to obtaining 8% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020. US Republican Senators say there are southeastern US states that cannot commit to obtaining 15% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Can they commit to matching Chile? (Does Tennessee need funding from Germany too?)

Germany to support Chilean renewable energy efforts
Paula Leighton, October 22, 2007 (Science and Development Network)

WHO
The German government, the Chilean government (Marcelo Tokman, minister of energy), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

The idea behind Germany's International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) project.

WHAT
- Germany will invest US$126 million in Chilean renewable energy & energy efficiency research. The first US$11.5 million is donation while the US$114.5 million is a loan.
- Chile will also become a founder country in Germany’s International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) intiative to promote worldwide development of renewable energy sources (solar, wind, biomass, wave/tide/current).

WHEN
- The agreement was made October 10.
- Chile’s first wind energy installation is expected to be tied into its national grid by the end of 2007.

WHERE
Chile’s current research is in geothermal, solar and wind energies, especially in remote areas. Its research projects are largely state subsidized.

WHY
- IRENA will promote the development of renewables and support research in, planning in and technology transfer to developing countries. The German funding will be very helpful.
- Chile’s National Commission of Energy expects the country to move from its present 2 megawatts of wind energy to 100+ megawatts by 2010. The German funding will be very helpful.
- Chile’s parliament is presently considering a bill that would move Chile’s renewable-sourced electricity from its present 2.4% to 8% by 2020. The German funding will be very helpful.

An experimental wind turbine serving a rural Chilean village. The German funding will spur efforts like this on.

QUOTES
Tokman, Chile: "The invitation to become a member of [IRENA] is a recognition of the work the government is doing to boost sustainable energy development in Chile by promoting non-conventional renewable energies and energy efficiency…"