Snapshot: The shrinking coal-fired generation footprint of AES Andes

Chilean power company AES Andes was given the green light by national energy commission CNE to retire more coal-fired generation capacity.

Among the country’s biggest generators, AES Andes can take offline the two units of its 276MW Norgener complex in Antofagasta region as of March 31. 

Closure of the facilities would reduce Chile’s installed coal-fired capacity to 3.740GW from 4.016GW currently.

A report from grid coordinator CEN indicates that the closure would not reduce electricity supply reliability or quality.

Chile’s power sector is in the process of taking around 5.5GW of coal capacity offline by 2040, a decarbonization goal that should be achieved earlier than that. A draft roadmap is out for public consultation. 

AES has previously said it aimed to exit the coal-fired generation segment as of end-2025. 

“The company is analyzing the best option for each coal-fired plant between potential retirement, sale or conversion to no-emissions technologies,” AES Andes said in a 3Q23 presentation. 

AES, whose installed capacity in Chile stood at 3.86GW at end-2023 is building out its renewables park.  

Enel Chile has already pulled out of the coal segment and Engie Chile is in the process of doing so. Colbún has a single 345MW coal-fired plant with no provisional retirement date. 

VENTANAS

AES Andes recently retired unit No. 2 of its four-unit Ventanas coal-fired power station complex in Valparaíso region.

The retirement of the 208MW facility unit follows that of the 114MW No.1 unit in 2022.

The remaining two, known as Nueva Ventanas and Campiche, respectively, are penciled in to be closed by April 2029. 

GUACOLDA

In 2021, AES Andes sold its stake in the five-unit Guacolda complex in Atacama region, giving local generator Guacolda Energía full ownership of the 760MW facility.

Guacolda plans to start co-firing with green ammonia from 2030, BNamericas was told recently.

COCHRANE

The two-unit Cochrane complex of 490MW in Antofagasta region is operational. A provisional closure date is pending. 

ANGAMOS

The two-unit Angamos complex of 501MW in Antofagasta region is in operation and scheduled to be closed by April 2029. AES Andes has the environmental green light to build a 560MW molten salt reconversion project at the facility.