Posted: April 23, 2008 Post Expires: December 23, 2009
USA-Chile Energy Solutions
International business venture seeks to establish contacts with U.S. firms involved in renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies that are interested in expanding their products and services to the South American market. Chile would be the initial market.
In addition, our company is looking to affirm further contacts in the Chilean market (e.g., industries, government entities, mining sector, construction companies). Such Chilean-based entities would be interested in investing in newly developed energy technologies to save energy costs, reduce pollution, and increase "energy independence."
Background: Energy supply is growing increasingly scarce for Chilean consumers and industries. With increasing occurrences of severe droughts affecting its hydropower supply, shortages of natural gas supplies imported from Argentina, (as well as increases in import taxes from Argentina), Chile, in the last few years, has been facing a growing critical energy security crisis. Also, Chile's thermoelectric generators have seen increased maintenance problems due to higher demand and because they have had to switch from natural gas to dirtier fuels such as diesel.
Throw in the fact that international petroleum prices have been reaching unimaginable highs, and Chileans spent an estimated US$5.4 million more in 2007 than in 2006 for total energy costs. In fact, the average node price of energy in Chile in 2007 was US$87 per MWh, a 137% increase form the $35 per MWh in 2003.
High Demand for "Alternative" Energy Products: In short, as energy issues regularly show up on the front page of Chilean newspapers, the demand is greater than ever in Chile for new, innovative, and "cleaner" energy solutions.
USA-Chile Energy Solutions is in contact with 1) small- and medium-sized enterprises, 2) local government officials in Chile, as well as 3) high-income residential consumers. All of these groups are interested in implementing the latest energy solutions being developed and tested in the United States (e.g., off-grid renewable sources such as solar panels and solar water heaters, intelligent monitoring methods of electricity use, other energy efficiency products).
Although Chile is classified as a "developing," middle-income economy, many Chilean consumers, municipalities, and enterprises are willing to pay higher initial costs for innovative energy technologies. Because the situation is specifically acute in terms of energy prices and supply scarcity, companies know they will save money in the long-term with such technologies as well as improve their environmental performance.
Such "green energy" solutions we are looking to export to Chile, and later throughout South America, are:
solar-powered boilers/ water heaters (esp. for condominiums, hotels, or commercial buildings)
solar-powered traffic signals,
energy-efficient street lights and traffic signals,
cost-effective solar panels for residences, commercial and government buildings,
solar and gas thermal combined power plants,
new methods of utilizing local, direct geothermal energy for heating and cooling needs,
experimental renewables that may soon reach commercial scale such as ocean thermal power.
Chile would be the South American launching pad for these products and services. As mentioned, it is the country in the region currently with the most urgent need for new energy solutions, and is often considered the most politically and economically stable country in the region. Chile also has low investment risk ratings, is internationally integrated, and is characterized by solid macroeconomic fundamentals.
Contact Information:
Robert M. Speiser
CEO, Director of Business Development
USA-Chile Energy Solutions
200 Massmill Drive
Lowell, MA 01852
USA
1(508) 572-1066
