National Electrical Coordinator proposed to postpone closure of Bocamina II and Ventanas II to avoid shortages

The National Electricity Coordinator proposed postponing the exit of the Bocamina II and Ventanas II coal-fired thermoelectric plants until 2023, under the argument of avoiding a supply crisis for the country.
AES Gener had planned to close the Ventanas II complex by the end of 2022, and Enel intended to take out Bocamina II in May next year. However, given the publication of the latest security report on the operation of the energy supply at the national level during 2022, and the possible consequences that could bring the thaw and drought, it was proposed to postpone until 2023 the exit of these two thermoelectric plants, reported the newspaper El Mercurio.
The document argues that this will allow “reducing the consumption of diesel oil by 3,000 cubic meters per day, fundamental for the reduction of electricity supply deficits that could occur from the months of June and July 2022.”
Another measure is to increase the supply of natural gas above the levels reported by the holders of LNG supply contracts, by a volume of three extra vessels in the period June-August 2022.
“The Coordinator has informed the competent authority of situations of non-compliance with the instructions for the coordination of the operation that occurred during the second half of this year. Given the relevance of this matter, this situation is monitored,” they said.

Original source in Spanish