Chile President Urges Increase to Hydropower Investment

19 July 2010 (Last Updated July 19th, 2010 18:30)

Chile must boost its investment in the hydropower sector to develop renewable energy generation as the country aims to double capacity in the next decade, President Sebastian Pinera said. Chilean President Sebastian Pinera urged Chile to diversify its energy sources and reduce its depen

Chile must boost its investment in the hydropower sector to develop renewable energy generation as the country aims to double capacity in the next decade, President Sebastian Pinera said.

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera urged Chile to diversify its energy sources and reduce its dependence on imports while protecting the environment.

"We must increase investment in the cleanest energies we have including hydroelectricity; I’m thinking of the micro, small and big projects," Pinera said.

Currently, Chile’s biggest hydroelectric project, HidroAysen is yet to receive environmental approval, reports Bloomberg.

The $3.2bn, 2,750MW project will supply power to the central grid through a 1,900km transmission line.