Chile on track to diminish Argentine gas dependence

Chilean president Michelle Bachelet inaugurated Tuesday the construction of a re-gasification plant that officials say will reduce the country’s high dependence on (Argentine) imported natural gas.

“As our economy expands we will need more and more energy and this plant is an answer to a major challenge our country faces”, said the Chilean president during the breaking ground ceremony at Quinteros, 230 kilometres north of Santiago.

“Chile is growing and this is very good news but that good news needs of policies that ensure our energy autonomy, so that we don’t have to depend on other countries.This plant will guarantee an appropriate energy supply".

Chile currently imports 97% of the 22 million cubic meters of natural gas it uses daily, at a cost of more than 800 million US dollars a year with most imports coming from Argentina, which in the last two winters reduced or cut supplies temporarily because of technical problems and increased domestic consumption.
...