Paraguay and Chile are evaluating the establishment of a regional energy interconnection network to strengthen the electrical systems of both countries and meet the growing demand in the region. The topic was discussed in a meeting between Paraguay's Minister of Industry and Commerce, Marco Riquelme, and Chile's Minister of Energy, Ximena Rincón, during a working agenda held in the Andean country.
Eduardo Gustale, Deputy Minister of the Investment and Export Network (Rediex), who also participated in the meeting, explained that the initiative would allow Chile to connect electrically with other nations, increasing protection against system vulnerabilities and creating opportunities to export and import energy according to each country's needs.
According to Paraguay's Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC), greater electrical interconnection would reduce exposure to potential failures in national systems and open new commercial opportunities through energy exchange, making more efficient use of each nation's generation capacities and strengthening regional energy security.
The authorities also discussed the transformation processes that Chile's energy sector is undergoing, especially in the electrical field, and the opportunities to advance toward deeper integration among countries in the region. The meeting also served to learn about Chile's efforts in partnership with the private sector to modernize its electrical system and respond to new demands imposed by economic and technological development.
In Paraguay, the debate on the energy issue has gained momentum, as it is projected that the increase in demand in the coming years will exceed local generation capacity. In response, the Paraguayan government plans to create a Ministry of Energy and a regulatory body to provide an adequate legal framework, especially for private initiatives.