Santiago, May 4, 2022. The National Energy Commission (CNE) has instructed Enel Generación to postpone the permanent closure and final shutdown of its Bocamina II plant, initially scheduled for 31 May 2022, by four months. Through a new exemption order - which amends the previous one issued on 23 July 2020 - the CNE granted an extension of the plant's decommissioning date to 30 September 2022.
"The authorities have informed us that, given the current water shortage coupled with the constraints under which the National Electricity System operates, it has been deemed necessary to postpone the closure of Bocamina II, the last coal-fired generation unit we operate. In view of these circumstances, and despite the difficulties and challenges that this postponement entails, we will make every effort to comply with this directive to help safeguard the country's electricity supply. We are confident that all our stakeholders will be able to make the necessary adjustments to ensure the continuity of the plant's operation for the duration of these four additional months. We remain committed to decarbonization and will continue to pursue a smooth energy transition in the interests of the country," said James Lee Stancampiano, CEO of Enel Generación.
The definitive closure of the Bocamina II power plant was scheduled for May 31, 2022, pursuant to the legal authorization issued by the National Energy Commission on July 23, 2020. Due to the critical state of electricity supply in the country, as revealed in the January 2022 Security Report, the National Electricity Coordinator formally requested Enel Generación to take special and urgent steps to postpone the scheduled shutdown date until 30 September 2022. On receiving the CNE's notification, Enel requested specific guidelines as to the definitive closure date. After assessing the situation and considering the impact of extending the Preventive Rationing Decree and the April 2022 National Electricity Coordinator Safety Report, the CNE decided to order the postponement of the final shutdown of Bocamina II.
The extension of the plant's final closure date will neither alter Enel’s work and its liaisons with the Coronel community nor compromise the continuity of projects designed to strengthen the local economy that have been committed to in advance.