Chile energy efficiency association unveils 2024-26 strategic plan

Chile’s energy efficiency association Anesco is inviting providers of residential solutions to join its ranks – one of multiple pillars of a 2024-26 strategic plan unveiled to members.

Traditionally focused on the industrial-commercial ecosystem, Anesco was formed in 2007, emerging from a clean energy program launched by public-private development and innovation foundation Fundación Chile and multilateral IDB.

Anesco is also planning to hold an energy efficiency fair in 2025, conduct a study on GDP impact, launch communication campaigns, and design technical courses, among other initiatives. In parallel, Anesco is working with regional energy association Olade on activities for the Olade 2025 energy week, scheduled to be held in Chile next October.

In terms of financing energy management systems and capital goods, Anesco members operate under the energy service company, or ESCO, model. Project implementation is paid for from savings achieved.

Anesco works across the energy efficiency value chain, from initial auditing to solution deployment, maintenance and monitoring and training.

A wide spectrum of solutions is in the shop window, including operational optimization apps, heat pumps, shared electric vehicle charging platforms, LED illumination systems, LNG fueling for heavy transport, high-efficiency pumps, motors and compressors, and (in the pilot phase) natural gas-green hydrogen blending.

During a speech to Anesco members, energy efficiency expert and academic Pedro Maldonado said Chile was not unique regarding the energy efficiency challenges it faces.

Having the right policy and regulations in place, along with a strong and independent energy efficiency agency that receives stable funding, was vital, Maldonado said.    

Building a local culture of efficient and responsible energy use is among steps seen needed to help close the energy efficiency gap between Chile and other countries.  

A headline target in Chile’s energy efficiency law is an overall reduction in energy intensity of at least 10% by 2030 compared with 2019. For large consumers with energy management capacity, an average intensity reduction of at least 4% is mandated. Officials estimate that accumulated savings of over US$15bn and a 28.6Mt reduction in carbon emissions are achievable by 2030.   

An associated energy efficiency plan has been drafted and a definitive version is pending.

Chile is betting on energy efficiency, higher rates of electrification, alternative fuels and a decarbonized grid to help achieve a goal of having net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

BNamericas asked Anesco manager Mónica Gazmuri about the new strategy.

Gazmuri: Our new strategic plan sets out to double down on efforts to refocus on the visibility of our solutions, promoting and providing more information about energy efficiency. In fact, our mission statement emphasizes this: "Making energy efficiency the transformative axis for a better quality of life for people and real sustainable development of the country."

We firmly believe that people face enormous challenges in the current economic context, such as rising electricity rates. But for a long time, they have also faced extreme cold and heat, without energy efficiency in their homes, along with respiratory diseases and the deterioration of their properties. This is why it is essential not only to spread the word about the available solutions to improve or make homes more energy-efficient but also to help make this a priority for the authorities. The national middle class sees energy efficiency as a real opportunity to support sustainable development of the country, reduce the size of their bills, and also improve their quality of life.

There are at least 30,000 buildings in Chile with more than 10 floors and over 20 years of age that could be retrofitted or modernized, contributing to updating the building, recovering its value, and avoiding higher costs. In addition, there are around 6mn households that can improve their insulation and enhance the living conditions of families. We believe it is necessary to make greater efforts to reach the people who are the decision-makers in their homes and workplaces. This complements our efforts to serve businesses and to help them with regulatory compliance.

According to a study by Universidad de Talca – a partner of Anesco Chile – 90% of buildings studied do not meet the minimum standards. A total of 300 buildings were analyzed and characterized for their energy consumption by the Kipus technology center of Universidad de Talca in the cities of Santiago, Talca and Concepción.

According to the climate and resilience science research center CR2, in 2023 atmospheric pollution from PM2.5 [fine inhalable particles] caused approximately 4,500 deaths in Chile and also led to the hospitalization of another 3,000 people.