CHILE TO BUILD WIND

This is a logical response to a modern dilemma: Mining operations were dependent on Argentina’s natural gas. Supplies were cut off. Presently, Billiton is relying on diesel fuel. So the mining company decided to build wind.

Argentina is unlikely to have the same kind of control over Chile’s wind.

Billiton, Pacific Hydro sign Chile wind energy pact
Monica Vargas, Lisa Yulkowski, Marguerita Choy, November 20, 2007 (Reuters via Yahoo News Malaysia)

WHO
BHP Billiton (Diego Hernandez, president), Pacific Hydro

Chile has long-identified sites with wind energy potential. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
South African multinational minerals mining and oil drilling giant BHP Billiton and Australian renewable energy giant Pacific Hydro will jointly develop wind energy resources in Chile.

WHEN
Wind testing will begin in early 2008. Construction will begin in late 2009.

WHERE
- The wind power development will be in Chile’s northern mining region where Billiton has major copper and other base metal works. Searches for sites are already under way.
- The wind energy will be fed into Chile’s northern grid.

WHY
- Chile accounts for one third of world copper. High copper prices make investment in energy resources a smart move.
- The Billiton-Pacific Hydro energy development will be more than 100 megawatts.
Billiton retains first option for purchase of the energy generated.
- Pacific Hydro will be responsible for preparation, engineering, construction and operation.

Chile also appears to have a backbone transmission system to which wind energy from remote locations can be delivered. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
Diego Hernandez, president of BHP Billiton: "Energy is one of our big operational challenges and to confront it we have developed a plan that assures supplies of energy from conventional sources, and is complemented by sources, such as Aeolic energy..."