Repurposing Tocopilla’s Energy Infrastructure
Decarbonisation, repurposing, and just transition challenges in a former coal‑based territory
This case study examines the transformation of Tocopilla, a Chilean city historically dependent on coal-fired power generation, within the context of national decarbonisation efforts.
It explores how the retirement of coal plants has enabled the repurposing of existing energy infrastructure into a modern energy hub incorporating battery energy storage systems (BESS), synchronous condensers, and natural gas generation.
The document highlights the technical and regulatory factors that have facilitated this transition, including renewable energy expansion, green financing mechanisms, and system security requirements. At the same time, it critically analyses the socio-economic impacts of plant closures, particularly job losses and limited economic diversification.
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