-The share of fossil fuels in total energy demand in Chile has fallen from 78% in 2010 to 64% in 2024. Most fossil fuels are imported, at a cost of around US dollars 14 billion in 2024. Oil – the largest energy source – accounts for 43% of total energy demand. Bioenergy is the second largest source, reflecting the use of wood for household heating in the south of the country. Solar and wind energy have grown rapidly in recent years and accounted for 7% of total energy demand in 2024.
-Electricity demand in Chile has increased by 3.1% annually since 2010. Since 2015, solar photovoltaics (PV) and wind have driven new capacity additions, and solar PV accounted for 23% of generation in 2024. Hydropower supplied 29% of electricity in 2024 and is a critical dispatchable source, while natural gas is crucial for balancing supply. Coal-fired power peaked in 2016 and has declined 56% by 2024. The energy sector accounts for three-quarters of total greenhouse gas emissions in Chile.
-Carbon dioxide emissions from the energy sector peaked in 2019, and have since declined by roughly 20%, thanks in large part to early retirement of coal power plants. Air pollution remains a serious challenge with 90% of Chileans being exposed to polluted air, and around 10% to heavily polluted air. In 2024, more than 5 000 people in Chile died prematurely from exposure to ambient air pollution, more than double the number of deaths from road traffic fatalities.
-The Chile 2050 Energy Transition Roadmap published by IEA provides an overview of the current energy landscape in Chile, including key trends in supply and demand, the energy mix, and the policy environment shaping energy development. It presents a detailed, sector-by-sector analysis of the energy transition roadmap, beginning with an assessment of total energy demand and covering end-use sectors – transport, industry and buildings – as well as the power sector and the role of fuels such as oil, gas, coal and bioenergy. It explores the broader implications of the energy transition roadmap, focusing on emissions reduction, investment needs, affordability, energy security and air pollution.
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