AES Andes
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electricity generation and distribution |
| Predecessor | Chilectra Generacion (original name) |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Founder | Federal government of Chile (originally) |
| Headquarters | Santiago , Chile |
Area served | Andes region, South America |
| Products | Electricity generation (hydroelectric, thermoelectric, coal-fired plants), energy storage systems |
| Owner | AES Corporation (parent company) |
| Parent | AES Corporation |
AES Andes S.A., previously known as AES Gener S.A., is an electricity generation and distribution company headquartered in Santiago, Chile. It functions as a subsidiary of the American corporation AES Corporation, focusing on serving the Andes region within South America.
History
The company was initially established in 1981 under the name Chilectra Generacion by the federal government. In 1987, it underwent a reorganization that divided it into three separate entities: two distribution companies (Chilectra and Chilquinta) and a combined generation and distribution firm (Chilgener). AES acquired a controlling interest in Chilgener in 2000, subsequently renaming it AES Gener.
On 23 April 2021, the shareholders ratified a name change to AES Andes to better represent the company’s regional emphasis.
Properties
AES Andes manages a variety of power facilities throughout the Andes, predominantly hydroelectric and thermoelectric plants, operated by regional subsidiaries such as Norgener S.A., Alto Maipo SpA, and Sociedad Electrica Santiago. Notable assets include:
- Chivor Hydroelectric Power Plant: Situated near Bogotá, Colombia, this 1,000 MW hydroelectric facility contributes approximately 8% of Colombia’s electricity supply. Constructed between 1970 and 1982, AES acquired it in 2000 through its purchase of Gener SA.
- Tunjita Power Plant: Commissioned in 2012 and located in Macanal, this hydroelectric station has a capacity of 19.8 MW with two units of 9.9 MW each, remotely managed from the Chivor facility.
- Norgener: AES Andes holds ownership of two coal-fired power plants in Northern Chile in partnership with AES Energy. These are operated via the subsidiary Empresa Eléctrica Angamos S.A, each unit rated at 260 MW and complemented by 20 MW energy storage systems. Additionally, a 12 MW solar installation acquired in 2009 at Norgener supports grid reliability.
- Electrica Angamos: This thermal power station, completed in 2011 in Mejillones, Northern Chile, has an installed capacity of 554 MW. It is a joint venture with Empresa Eléctrica Angamos and includes a 2 MW battery energy storage system to enhance grid stability within an important mining area.
- Cochrane Power Station: Located in Mejillones and jointly owned by AES Andes (60%) and DL Energy (40%), this coal-fired plant generates 531 MW primarily for Chile's mining industry. A 20 MW energy storage system was added in 2017 to bolster grid reserves.
- Guacolda: A coal-fired thermoelectric facility near Huasco with an approximate capacity of 608 MW. AES Andes holds nearly half ownership alongside Empresas Copec and Inversiones Ultraterra.
- Maipo: This hydroelectric project near Santiago was under construction as of early 2025 and is projected to deliver 531 MW upon completion. The Austrian company Strabag SE owns a 7% stake and oversees construction activities.
- Electrica Santiago: A subsidiary managing four coal-fired plants—"Nueva Renca", "Renca", "Los Vientos", and "Santa Lidia"—which were acquired in 2011 and collectively provide around 750 MW.
- Laguna Verde & Laguna Verde GT3: Located near Valparaíso, this facility offers a total capacity of 66 MW including a 19 MW open-cycle turbine. Originally commissioned in 1939 as coal-powered, it currently operates using diesel fuel.
- ALFALFAL: Comprising two hydroelectric units commissioned during summer 1991 near southeast Santiago, this plant generates 178 MW utilizing water from the Colorado River.
- QUELTEHUES: A hydroelectric station featuring three generating units with a combined output of 49 MW, positioned on the right bank of the Maipo River close to San Gabriel in Cajón del Maipo.
- Volcan: A small-scale hydroelectric plant producing 13 MW by harnessing flow from the Volcan River, a tributary of the Maipo River.
- Laja: Operating since 1995 near Laja, Chile, this thermoelectric facility contains one generating unit with a capacity of 13 MW.
- Electrica Ventanas: Purchased by Gener in 2010, this coal-fired plant located in Chile was originally constructed in 1964 and expanded through to 2013. It currently has an installed capacity of 875 MW.
- Electrica Campiche: Acquired by Gener in 2013, this Chilean coal-fired power station has an installed capacity totaling 272 MW.
Criticism
The proposed INNA facility by AES Andes is considered a potential threat to the Paranal Observatory, which houses the Very Large Telescope (VLT), according to ESO. This installation, equipped with 1000 lights, is expected to elevate light pollution levels by a minimum of 35% around the VLT and by at least 5% near the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) location. Additionally, vibrations generated by wind turbines are predicted to increase atmospheric turbulence, diminishing observation quality by approximately 40%. Both the VLT and ELT are vulnerable to micro-seismic disturbances caused by such vibrations. Moreover, dust produced during construction activities could negatively impact the telescope mirrors’ condition. The southern segment of the Cherenkov Telescope Array would also experience a significant increase in light pollution, estimated at 55%. In March 2025, a detailed report outlining these concerns was presented to Chilean regulatory bodies, accompanied by an executive summary made accessible to the public. While ESO advocates for relocating the project to mitigate these risks, it remains supportive of renewable energy initiatives at a different site. As of December 2024, INNA was still in its initial development phase with no finalized investment decisions; AES Andes had formalized a memorandum of understanding with Samsung C&T.