OVALLE, Chile, (Reuters) – A long drought has dried up hydroelectric power production in Chile, sending electricity costs soaring and making renewable power sources like wind, solar and geothermal more attractive, particularly to energy-hungry miners reaping a copper windfall.
“Renewable energies require a greater investment but they have low production costs,” said Mabel Weber, an energy analyst with Banchile Investments. “The more prices rise, the more viable alternative energies look.”
Scarce rains from the La Nina weather pattern have slashed hydroelectric output in Chile, the world’s top copper producer. Generators must rely on plants
