Energy Under the Andes:Benefits, Barriers to Development, and Relevant Policy Alternatives for Chile’s Untapped Geothermal Resources

[摘要] Chile is home to 10% of the world’s volcanoes and, according to many scientists and energy experts, is a prime location for geothermal energy development. Yet, to date, Chile has no geothermal plant in production. Despite extremely high energy prices and energy shortages in the country, very little has been done to exploit one of Chile’s most promising energy resources. Through a series of over 30 interviews with government officials, geothermal industry experts, community leaders, and university professors, I will clarify the advantages of geothermal energy in Chile, as well as the barriers to development and the potential policy solutions to diminish those barriers. The most critical barriers identified in this study are: (1) high cost and risk of initial investments, (2) lack direction on energy development and institutional support on the part of the government, and (3) vague elements of the legal and regulatory framework.

[发布机构] the University of Pittsburgh