In northern Chile, where the sky looks like a sheet of blue glass and the earth cracks under the sun, a transformation few imagined a decade ago is taking place. The Atacama Desert, the driest on Earth, has become the epicenter of an energy revolution combining technology, investment, and privileged geography. Today, more than 30% of the country's electricity comes from solar panels and wind turbines, a figure that surpasses the global average and positions Chile as a natural laboratory for the rest of the planet.
Chile generates over 30% of its electricity from solar and wind sources, exceeding the world average of 20%.
The sun that never sets
The Antofagasta region receives solar radiation three times higher than Germany, a pioneer in clean energy. This natural advantage has attracted global energy giants such as Spain's Acciona, France's EDF, and Italy's Enel, which have installed solar parks capable of generating electricity at prices competitive with natural gas. But it's not just about the sun: Pacific winds, sweeping the coast and mountain passes, have boosted wind projects that now total over 2,000 megawatts installed. The combination of both sources allows the Chilean power grid to operate with a stability that surprises engineers.
Atacama Desert
The driest non-polar desert on Earth, spanning 105,000 km². It has the highest solar radiation recorded on the planet, reaching peaks of 2,500 kWh/m² per year.
The transmission challenge
Getting that energy from the desert to consumption centers, mainly Santiago and the central zone, requires titanic infrastructure. The Chilean government has promoted a plan for high-voltage transmission lines crossing the Andes and traversing valleys and deserts. The most ambitious is the Kimal-Lo Aguirre project, a 1,500-kilometer line connecting the north to the capital, projected to evacuate up to 3,000 additional megawatts. The project has faced technical and environmental challenges but advances as a symbol of the national commitment.
The transition is not just a technical achievement: it also generates local employment. In the Tarapacá and Antofagasta regions, the construction and maintenance of solar parks have created thousands of jobs for technicians, engineers, and workers. Local service companies, such as transport and catering, have seen demand grow. The multiplier effect is felt in small desert towns, where copper mining was once almost the only activity.
What does this mean for the world?
The Chilean case shows that the energy transition is not a laboratory dream but a real possibility when political will, private investment, and exceptional natural conditions converge. Other countries in the region, such as Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru, are watching closely. But the Chilean model also faces tough questions: energy storage remains the Achilles' heel, and reliance on such an extensive grid poses risks of failure. Moreover, the environmental impact of transmission lines on fragile ecosystems has drawn criticism from local communities and environmental groups. Still, the balance is positive: Chile has cut carbon emissions by 40% since 2018 and has set a target of carbon neutrality by 2050. The Atacama Desert, a land of extreme contrasts, has become the mirror where the world looks to understand what the energy future will look like.