The Chilean Association of Renewable Energies and Storage, ACERA AG, met with the Executive Secretary of the National Energy Commission (CNE), Carlos Barría , to present an agenda of regulatory matters that the association considers priorities in the face of the rapid transformation that the Chilean electricity system is undergoing.
The conversation was marked by the need for the regulations, operations, and tools available to institutions to evolve at the same pace as the electricity grid. The growth of renewable energy and energy storage, the incorporation of new consumption patterns, and increasing operational complexity require moving from piecemeal solutions toward a coordinated agenda that allows for anticipating the system's needs.
Storage: moving from regulation to efficient operation
One of the main focuses was the operation of storage systems and the implementation of opportunity cost, currently considered in the process of modifying the Technical Standard for Coordination and Operation of the National Electric System.
ACERA emphasized the importance of improving the traceability of operational decisions and having rules that adequately recognize the physical and economic characteristics of energy storage . In a system that will incorporate increasing volumes of batteries, scheduling and dispatch must allow for the effective use of their flexibility, minimize inefficiencies, and reduce the potential for subsequent disagreements and discrepancies between stakeholders and the operator.
The discussion also included the need to accelerate the development of operational tools that will allow for more automated and efficient management of these resources. For ACERA, implementation timelines are especially important given the rapid increase in storage capacity within the system.
Throughout 2026, the industry has developed a specific technical agenda on this matter. In July, ACERA presented the study “Programming and Operation of Storage Systems,” prepared by Vinken, to the CNE. This study analyzes, among other topics, the opportunity cost methodology and the conditions necessary to improve the programming and operation of these technologies.
Coordinator's capabilities and prioritization of resources
In this context, the definition and use of the National Electric Coordinator's budget was also addressed, the approval of which falls under the purview of the National Energy Commission (CNE). This matter is particularly important considering the new technical capabilities and tools that the operator will need to incorporate to manage a system with greater participation of variable resources, energy storage, and new security and reliability requirements.
For ACERA, this discussion is part of the same agenda: new regulatory requirements must be accompanied by the necessary capabilities, tools, and resources so that they can be implemented in a timely and effective manner.
Electrification and demand expansion: harnessing available energy
Electrification was another key focus. ACERA shared its current work to identify opportunities for growth in electricity demand and for replacing fossil fuels with electricity in various sectors of the economy.
The discussion focused particularly on the challenge posed by the arrival of large new consumers , including data centers. Their development presents a significant opportunity for Chile, but requires proactively addressing connectivity, infrastructure availability and efficient utilization, security of supply, and regulatory stability.
The goal is to move toward a strategy that leverages the availability of competitive renewable energy generation to attract new demand and investment, by making more efficient use of existing electrical infrastructure and energy resources. ACERA will share the results of its electrification and demand study with the National Energy Commission (CNE).
Modernization of the electricity market and transition towards a bid-driven market
The evolution of the wholesale market design was also a central part of the discussion. The necessary conditions for moving towards a bid-based market were analyzed, considering that a change of this magnitude requires regulatory and potentially legal modifications, as well as prior preparation by the Coordinator and participating agents.
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ACERA raised the importance of this transition being gradual, traceable, and technically robust, incorporating milestones, testing instances, and mechanisms that allow learning before a comprehensive implementation.
In that context, discussions also took place regarding alternatives that could allow for the early introduction of market signals and flexibility. Among these, ACERA presented a proposal to study a wastewater transfer market, a mechanism for which the association will submit technical background information to the CNE for evaluation.
Network reform and a reliability agenda
Market modernization must progress in parallel with the infrastructure that will support it. Therefore, another topic addressed was the network reform currently being promoted by the Ministry of Energy.
For ACERA, timely development and more efficient use of networks are enabling conditions for integrating new renewable generation and storage, reducing restrictions, and responding to the growth and changing location of demand.
The conversation also made it possible to link this discussion to a broader system reliability agenda, including network strength, risk management, and new technological capabilities that allow for the safe operation of an array with an increasing share of power electronics-based resources.
Supply tenders: competition, transparency and new market conditions
Regarding supply tenders for regulated customers, and particularly the 2026/01 process currently underway, opportunities were analyzed to improve the tendering mechanisms to promote greater competition and participation of different technologies and solutions.
Among the topics discussed were the need to review the evaluation and award mechanisms, the challenges generated by contracts that do not materialize, and the regulations applicable to potential contract renegotiation processes.
ACERA emphasized the importance of the upcoming guidelines incorporating lessons learned from recent processes and providing sufficiently clear and stable signals to enable new investment, including alternatives that combine renewable generation and storage.
Complementary services for a different system
Finally, ACERA raised the need to move forward with a more in-depth review of the complementary services available in the electrical system.
The accelerated integration of renewable generation, inverters, and storage systems necessitates a review of both existing services and the new attributes that the system will progressively require. Specifically addressed were the development of grid forming capabilities, along with other services aimed at strengthening the system's stability, flexibility, and resilience.
It was agreed to delve deeper into this matter in a specific working session, with the aim of reviewing the design and future evolution of these services.
The meeting allowed for the establishment of a broad agenda for technical collaboration between ACERA and the new CNE administration, with an emphasis on anticipating the challenges generated by the transformation of the electrical system.
For ACERA, the challenge is no longer just incorporating more renewable energy and storage, but ensuring that regulation, markets, operations, networks, and institutions evolve in a coordinated manner to harness their full potential. This will be one of the main focuses of the association's regulatory work in the coming months.