Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Hydropower Country Notes

Chile

There is substantial hydropower potential, with the technically exploitable capability estimated at about 162 TWh/yr, of which about 15% has so far been exploited. Hydro output in 2005 was 25.9 TWh, equivalent to just over 50% of Chile's total net electricity generation.

The 570 MW Ralco station in the Upper Bío Bío Valley, Chile's first new hydro plant for over eight years, came into operation in 2004. Hydropower & Dams World Atlas 2006 quotes Chile's hydro capacity as 4 695 MW, with 300 MW under construction and about 3 000 MW planned. In this latter category were the following projects: Baker (1 000 MW), Pascua (1 200 MW), Neltume (400 MW), Choshuenco (150 MW) and Punilla (100 MW).