Análisis y descomposición sectorial de la energía solar incorporada en las exportaciones de Chile y el rol de las políticas energéticas[Analysis and sectorial decomposition of solar energy incorporated in Chilean exports and the role of energy policies]

The objective of this paper is to examine how the solar energy that sectors use to produce goods exported in Chile during the years 2014-2016 has evolved, and how factors underlying economic growth such as intensity, technology and changes demand have influenced this evolution. In addition, the consequences of the energy policy “Energy 2050” are evaluated, which increases the level of solar energy in Chile´s electricity matrix, examining the level of energy substitution, changes in the trade balance of fossil fuels and emissions of Greenhouse gases (GHG), and the compatibility of this energy substitution with the “Electric Matrix Decarbonization Plan” proposed in 2019. The results show that the increase in the intensity of consumption would have been the main factor behind the increase of almost four times in the solar energy incorporated, with the copper mining sector being key, while the demand for exports would have contributed in the opposite direction. “Energy 2050” will play a key role, generating a 5.6-fold increase in the level of solar energy incorporated in 2028, allowing a significant decrease in the import requirements of fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, and GHG emissions. In addition, this energy substitution would play a key role in the closure of the thermoelectric plants contemplated in the “Decarbonization Plan”.