The renewable subsidiary of the leading French group in low-emission energy generation also had a special participation in the technical talks of the event, where its CEO, Matías Steinacker, presented on projects and best practices associated with its community engagement.
As a member of the Chilean Renewable Energy and Storage Association, ACERA A.G., EDF Renewables Chile participated in the "Acera Encounter: 20 years transforming Chile's energy" event, which celebrated the Association's twentieth anniversary and addressed the challenges and opportunities defining the transition to a 100% renewable matrix.
The event was attended by President Gabriel Boric, Energy Minister Diego Pardow, Environment Minister Maisa Rojas, Energy Undersecretary Luis Felipe Ramos, and SEA Executive Director Valentina Durán, along with the main actors of the industry.
During the two-day event, EDF Renewables Chile stood out with a booth equipped with immersive reality technology that allowed attendees to explore the Cabo Leones I wind farm, bridging distances in a successful experience. The tour provided the opportunity to explore the inside of the wind turbines and appreciate the panoramic view of the park from the heights of one of them. Additionally, the height of the wind turbines and the fauna sharing the space with the wind farm could be appreciated.
The team from EDF Renewables Chile, represented by CEO Matías Steinacker and Jaime Álvarez, environmental and community relations coordinator, was also part of the panel discussion in the technical talk "Renewable Projects: Best Practices and Territorial Challenges," where they addressed the territorial challenges of renewable energy projects and the importance of early engagement with communities.
"Since our arrival in Chile in 2014, at EDF Renewables Chile, we have applied the international experience of the EDF Group, not only in technology for project development but also in environmental standards and community relations. We adapt these strategic guidelines to the reality of each of the communities in which we are developing, constructing, or operating projects," highlighted Matías Steinacker.
Continuous and timely dialogue with communities is fundamental, especially in Cabo Leones I, where the relationship with the Freirina community has generated shared value through the implementation of renewable energy in a sector previously affected by energy access issues. It is also important to adapt to changes in the environment as projects progress. In this regard, Jaime Álvarez highlighted the challenge of the socio-spatial dynamics of territories, emphasizing the importance of constant environmental diagnosis and review of social guidelines.