ACERA urges sector authorities to carry out an exhaustive investigation whose conclusions will allow strengthening the National Electric System

This press release was published in English using an automatic translation system

PRESS RELEASE from Acera
February 26, 2025

Santiago, February 26, 2025. – The Chilean Association of Renewable Energies and Storage, ACERA AG , expresses its solidarity and concern for the massive blackout of February 25, which left the country without electricity supply, affecting the daily lives of the population and key productive sectors.

Although it has been preliminarily identified that the fault originated in the Nueva Maitencillo - Nueva Pan de Azúcar 2x500 kV transmission line, operated by ISA InterChile, due to an unwanted operation in its control and protection systems, it is essential that the respective bodies carry out an exhaustive investigation to determine causes and possible responsibilities. Thus, the National Electrical Coordinator ( CEN ) must prepare the Failure Analysis Study (EAF), identifying the key factors of the event, the reasons for its propagation and the performance of the Service Recovery Plan (PRS). For its part, the Superintendency of Electricity and Fuels , as the supervisory body, must investigate the causes and determine possible responsibilities.

It is prudent and advisable to wait for the results of the investigation and its conclusions before making any premature judgments. The most important thing is to use the information obtained appropriately to prevent events of this magnitude and effects from being repeated in our country. Although complex, these are events that occur approximately every 10 to 15 years, so their analysis must consider a historical and structural perspective, avoiding hasty interpretations that do not contribute to effective solutions.

A systemic event that requires a comprehensive approach

Although more information is needed, it is possible to note that the unintended consequences of this incident were not only due to an initial transmission failure, but also to the insufficient capacity of the system to respond effectively to the loss of a relevant percentage of total generation (in this case it was 16%), which shows a structural problem in terms of the propagation of a fault that, although 1,800 MW, left the entire electrical demand of the system without supply, which must be addressed urgently.

From ACERA, we call on the authorities and actors in the sector to analyse this event with the relevance it deserves and with the necessary technical rigour. It is key that all the actors involved work together to strengthen the safety and reliability of the electrical system.

A thorough and transparent investigation must be carried out, based on a detailed analysis of the data and the provision of technical information from the companies and the EAF, within the established time frame. In addition, security and contingency response protocols must be strengthened, ensuring that transmission failures do not lead to a total collapse of the system.

Regardless of the results of the research, it is key to move forward in strengthening the electrical system through investments in energy transmission and storage infrastructure. Having a more resilient system will allow for a better response capacity to future contingencies. In this context, it is essential to continue working on modernizing the regulatory framework, promoting a more dynamic and efficient environmental permit system, together with regulations that encourage investment in projects of all renewable technologies, storage and scales, thus contributing to the stability and sustainability of the national electrical system.

"It is essential that this situation be analyzed objectively and without rushing to establish responsibilities before having all the background information. Our commitment is to collaborate in identifying solutions that reinforce the stability and reliability of the electrical system," said Ana Lía Rojas, Executive Director of ACERA .

At ACERA AG, as a trade association that represents generation and transmission companies committed to the energy transition, we stand in solidarity with the affected population, as we understand the role that electricity plays in people's lives. We are prepared to collaborate with the entities responsible for the investigations, with our partner companies and their technical teams, to address highly specialized matters with complex and specific regulations for the sector.