French energy group Engie said Wednesday that it would stop using coal to generate electricity in Chile by 2025, while doubling its target for power from renewable sources.
The group reaffirmed a commitment to close six coal-fired plants, two of which have already been shut down, that generate nearly 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of electricity, a statement said.
While it is difficult to compare electricity consumption between countries, one GW generally accounts for at least half a million homes.
Almost half of the capacity being taken offline, or 700,000 megawatts, would be converted to gas or biomass generators, Engie said.
The group still operates coal-fired plants in Brazil, Morocco, and Portugal.
Meanwhile, Engie said it would develop 2.0 GW of renewable energy capacity in Chile, about double the level it was aiming for in 2019.
Engie estimated the cost of the “comprehensive transformation plan” at 1.5 billion euros ($1.8 billion) by 2025 and said it should reduce CO2 emissions by 80 percent by 2026.
