ENGIE has announced that it will close its coal-fired power plants in Chile, which will cease to produce energy as of January 1, 2026. The company has informed the National Energy Commission (CNE) of its intention to cease operations of the Central Termoeléctrica Andina (CTA) and Central Termoeléctrica Hornitos (CTH) units, located in the Mejillones Thermal Complex (CTM) by December 31, 2025.
ENGIE’s closure plan
In line with its decarbonization commitments, ENGIE has taken several actions this year. In March, the CNE authorized the conversion of Infraestructura Energética Mejillones (IEM) to gas and the withdrawal of CTM units 1 and 2. These steps are part of the company’s plan to abandon the use of coal by 2025.
[post_relacionado]Rosaline Corinthien, CEO of ENGIE Chile, highlighted the importance of this announcement for the company’s energy transition strategy. “Our commitment to decarbonization involves not only the closure of units, but also the development of reconversion projects and the construction of renewable energy parks and battery-based storage systems, which offers flexibility to the system.“, he explained.
CTA and CTH coal-fired power plants: a decade of energy
The CTA and CTH plants, with a combined installed capacity of 350 MW, have been in operation since 2011. Gabriel Marcuz, Managing Director of ENGIE Flexible Generation & Retail noted that these units have provided security of power supply for more than a decade. “We are advancing in our commitment to decarbonize the energy matrix, following a Just Transition Plan that includes an open and transparent dialogue with unions, collaborators, communities and authorities,” Marcuz added.
It is relevant to mention that in September 2022, ENGIE disconnected its last coal-fired unit at the Tocopilla Thermal Complex (CTT) in September 2022. . With the cessation of operations in Mejillones, the company will complete its definitive exit from coal-fired generation by the end of 2025.
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Source: Nuevamineria
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