Chile sets wind and solar records in 2024

In December 2024, Chile generated 42% of its electricity from wind and solar, surpassing the previous monthly record of 39.6% set in September 2024.

This is according to the latest figures from global energy think tank Ember, which show that throughout 2024, solar and wind generated a record 33% of Chile’s electricity, up from 30% in 2023.

In total, renewables provided 70% of the country’s electricity in 2024, while fossil fuels accounted for 30%.

This marks a significant shift from five years ago, when fossil fuels led with 53% and renewables provided 47% of Chile’s electricity.

Ember’s Latin America analyst, Wilmar Suarez commented in a statement: “Chile is a global leader in clean electricity. The environmental objectives that the country has set, such as achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, have provided a key boost to the decarbonisation of its energy matrix. Furthermore, more than 900MW of energy storage installed have set a benchmark for the energy transition in Latin America.”

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The rapid growth in renewables in Chile has been provided by solar and wind, which currently account for 21% and 12% of generation, respectively. Their share has more than doubled since 2019 when solar provided 8% of Chile’s electricity and wind 6%.

Ember’s Global Electricity Review published last year highlighted Chile as one of the countries with the highest share of solar in the world in 2023.

To continue advancing in the creation of a clean energy system, Chile enacted the Energy Transition Law in December 2024. Among its priorities is to expedite electricity transmission works to connect renewable generation projects and attract significant investments to strengthen and modernise the electricity sector.

“Chile is at the front of the global race to renewables and is determined to stay there,” continued Suarez. “The Energy Transition Law positions Chile to secure its continued leadership in the global energy transition and unlock clean, affordable energy for its citizens.”