Within the tax reform that is currently under debate in Chile's parliament, there is a plan to tax the CO2 emissions from thermoelectric plants over 50 MWt. The idea is to charge US$ 5 per tonne of CO2 discharged.

According to Felipe Cerón, General Manager at AES Gener, the "green tax" will turn thermoelectric plants less competitive by raising their energy prices. However, other members of the industry as Joaquín Galindo, CEO of Endesa Chile, and Andrés Kuhlmann, General Manager from Transelec, are not sure about the real consequences of the tax.

By making thermoelectric plants less competitive, concentrated solar power (CSP) plants can become more attractive to develop as their prices will drop in comparison. Moreover, a CSP plant combined with storage can take the place of a thermoelectric plant as it can supply energy continuously.

At ChileSol 2014 (27 & 28 May, Santiago de Chile), the international CSP industry will meet to discuss the plans to develop the sector in the country. Kevin Smith, CEO from SolarReserve, Pedro Robles, Business Manager from Chile and Peru in Abengoa, and Charles Turlinski, Director of Proyect Development from BrightSource, will be among the top level speakers that will share their plans in the market.

For more information about ChileSol 2014 visit: http://goo.gl/vHtzcU

Or contact Mercedes Galíndez at mercedes@csptoday.com