Data Insights: Chile’s 29GW pipeline of wind projects

Chile has a 29.4GW pipeline of wind power projects, according to the BNamericas database.

The figure is just 7GW shy of the country’s overall generation park of 36.5GW.  

The pipeline data comprises both early stage and construction phase projects. Around 2.2GW of the 29.4GW corresponds to projects currently being built.

In terms of associated capex, this stands at US$50bn. The capex figures cited in this report also encompass other project components such as power lines, substations and, in the case of green hydrogen projects, electrolyzers and desalination plants.

Regarding investments in green hydrogen production plants, far south region Magallanes – which boasts world-class wind resources – accounts for the biggest chunk of planned capex and capacity: US$31.5bn and 16.9GW, respectively. (You can download the data in the Documents box in the top-right of the screen.)

A significant proportion of hydrogen-related capacity and capex corresponds to the H2 Magallanes project proposed by TotalEnergies Chile, involving US$15bn and 10GW of emissions-free generation capacity for powering electrolyzers and desalination infrastructure. The other players with projects in the BNamericas database are Haura Energy, TEG Chile; Consorcio Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners - Austria Energy - Oekowind; RWE Renewables Chile; and Eólica Faro del Sur.

Sector development in Magallanes will require associated investment in logistics infrastructure, chiefly maritime terminals for the reception of goods and materials. Overall, at least 20 green hydrogen projects are planned for the region although details for some are still unavailable.  

CREDIT: BNamericas

 CREDIT: BNamericas

CREDIT: BNamericas

Meanwhile, in terms of Chilean wind projects that have progressed beyond development and entered the construction phase, the two biggest are in northern region Antofagasta and are due for completion next year: Colbún’s 778MW Horizonte and Grupo Ibereólica’s 805MW Antofagasta.

Colbún has previously said it was seeking the environmental green light to expand Horizonte’s capacity by up to 180MW, which would nudge it close to the 1GW mark. 

Companies with wind projects in Antofagasta are the following: AM Eólica Alto Loa, Colbún, EDF EN Chile Holding, EDP Renewables Chile, Energía Eólica Pampas, Energía Eólica Paposo, Engie Energía Chile, ERNC Loa, Ibereólica ERNC Antofagasta, Parque Eólico Antofagasta and Vientos del Desierto. Antofagasta is an industrial and mining hub where at least 25 green hydrogen projects are planned, with developers drawn by the region's world-class solar power resources, existing midstream infrastructure and potential domestic offtakers in situ.  

CREDIT: BNamericas

According to BNamericas data, 2025-26 will be particularly important in relation to construction start dates for Magallanes and Antofagasta, the two most important regions in terms of generation capacity and capex. This is in line with the fact that most projects in these regions are due to start operations in 2027 or 2028.

CREDIT: BNamericas

Like elsewhere in Latin America, growth of installed wind capacity in Chile is being driven by onshore projects.

Wind farms have, to date, mushroomed in two main chunks of territory: one in the north of the country and the other a good several hundred kilometers south of capital Santiago. Around 55 wind parks are operational, the oldest being Enel Chile’s 18MW Coquimbo region plant Canela, where turbine blades started spinning in 2007, according to data from regulator CNE. 

Installed wind capacity, considering projects that are operational or in the testing phase, is around 4.9GW, or 13.4% of the country’s generation park, local renewables and storage association Acera says in a report. 

Chile’s overall power generation project pipeline is dominated by wind and solar, and increasingly those with energy storage components, as the country weans itself off thermoelectric power, thereby reducing exposure to international hydrocarbon price volatility and trimming emissions.  

Territory south of Santiago is attractive to wind investors chiefly because it tends to have favorable evening wind profiles, which means plants can complement well the country’s other renewables assets, including wind farms in the north which have different output patterns. Demand for electricity from planned industrial projects in Ñuble region is also a factor.

Some generators with southern wind projects typically refer to portfolio balancing, with an objective being to reduce risk related to transmission congestion and price decoupling. 

However, the onshore wind segment is facing challenges: some of the best locations have been taken already and some projects, particularly those south of Santiago, are facing social and permitting hurdles. 

Against this backdrop and given the important role of wind in the country’s generation mix, interest is gradually growing in offshore wind, where stakeholders are awaiting a sector development roadmap. Along with cost, factors that will need addressing include the relatively narrow strip of shallow water along some stretches of coastline – which may necessitate floating wind solutions – along with the potential risk of tsunamis. 

The actual project development figures in this report will likely be lower than what is forecast as some projects may not get the green light or could be postponed or scrapped.