Chilean-German Commitment to Higher Energy Efficiency

Chilenischer Energieminister hebt die Erfolge in der bilateralen Zusammenarbeit hervor.

During his visit to Berlin in March, Chilean Energy Minister Máximo Pacheco showcased the key role Chilean-German cooperation plays in the energy sector. At the information event on Energy Efficiency and the Role of Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), he spoke before representatives from the German Federal Environment Ministry (BMUB) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) as well as from several German companies and business associations. As part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI), BMUB is supporting Chile in the implementation of a climate-friendly energy policy through a series of projects.

As a particularly successful example of Chilean-German cooperation, the Minister highlighted the IKI project "Energy Efficiency and Cogeneration in Public Hospitals", which is being implemented by GIZ. This pilot project facilitates the installation of combined heat and power generation systems in three public hospitals in Chile. The installed plants can simultaneously produce electricity and heat, lower the operating costs of the hospitals and make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gases. The project successes are intended to serve as a blueprint for introducing energy-saving and climate-friendly technology for other public institutions in the South American country. In addition, the project is an innovative example for future commercial energy-saving contracting through ESCOs.

In order to advance the dissemination of cogeneration systems in industry, businesses and public utilities in Chile, a new project is to promote specialised expertise, improved regulatory frameworks, training of experts and awareness-raising among investors. The successful cooperation between Chile and Germany in the energy sector will continue.