India and Chile partnering in renewable energy

Both exploring greater opportunities for cooperation and collaboration. India and Chile have agreed to cooperate more in renewable energy following a meeting in the Chilean capital of Santiago between Chilean Energy Minister Jorge Bunster and Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Minister of New and Renewable Energy. Dr. Abdullah visited Chile along with a high-level delegation to explore greater opportunities for cooperation and collaboration between Indian and Chile. He said India plans to add over 30 GW of renewable energy to its energy mix in the next five years. He also focused on the success of India’s wind program and the significant cost reductions in solar energy achieved through the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). Bunster said Chile is almost entirely dependent on imports for its energy needs and is extremely keen to diversify its energy mix by introducing a large component of renewables. Chile has considerable potential in wind, hydro, solar and geothermal energy. Bunster expressed his government's desire to set up a 50 MW Solar thermal generating capacity in the north of the country.