Chile environmental submissions up in May, but approvals down

Chile’s environmental evaluation agency SEA received 60 submissions entailing US$2.72 billion in investments during May, compared to 54 worth US$3.31bn the previous month, as an increase in energy initiatives was offset by a drop in mining.

Overall, 22 energy projects worth US$2.07bn were submitted, up from 19 worth US$1.75bn in April, according to SEA’s monthly report.

The mining sector saw six submissions in May, five less than the previous month. Investments fell from US$674 million to US$128mn.

Two transport infrastructure projects worth US$129mn were presented last month, but none in April.

Not a single port infrastructure project was submitted in the last two months.

One water infrastructure project, worth US$2.1mn was submitted in May, but none in April.

In May 2023, 54 projects worth US$2.14bn were submitted overall. 

The biggest projects presented last month were:

– Las Cunas photovoltaic plant (US$460mn, submitted twice, with first proposal having been withdrawn by proponent and second one now under review);
– Zaldivar photovoltaic park (US$238mn);
– Vernazza photovoltaic park (US$285mn);
– Nueva Lagunas sub-station and Nueva Lagunas-Kimal transmission line (US$195mn);
– Lo Aguirre distribution center expansion (US$85mn).

APPROVALS

In May, 18 projects involving US$588mn received a positive environmental qualification resolution (RCA), down from 33 worth US$1.79bn in April, mainly due to only eight positive energy RCAs last month, compared to 17 in April.

Energy investments fell from US$1.56bn to US$378mn.

Investments in mining reached US$46.3mn for two projects in April and US$28mn for one in May.

No positive RCAs for transport, port or water infrastructure were issued.

The biggest projects to obtain approval were the US$110mn AR Panimávida solar project, the US$72mn Oro y Cielo photovoltaic plant and the US$85mn Quinquimo Solar photovoltaic plant.

2024

Despite the mixed May report, figures regarding investments submitted and approved are improving. Although 238 projects were submitted in the first five months, compared to 249 a year ago, investments rose from US$14.7bn to US$18.4bn, mainly due to increases in energy.

Also, 115 positive RCAs involving US$5.99bn were issued, compared to 99 involving US$4.02bn in same period last year.

The government is advancing a bill to speed up evaluations, which currently can take years for larger projects.

The senate approved the text in general, but a final vote is still needed, after which it will be reviewed by the lower house.