Chile curtailed a record 2.68 TWh of solar and wind generation in the first seven months of 2026, up 1.6% from a year earlier and representing the highest level recorded for the period, according to the Chilean renewable energy association Acera.

Acera attributed rising curtailment to transmission constraints, insufficient demand during periods of high renewable output and the need for greater system flexibility, describing it as a structural issue particularly in northern Chile and during daylight hours.

The association said that without curtailment, wind and solar would have accounted for 49.4% of Chile's electricity generation in 2025, compared with the 42.4% actually recorded. Total curtailment reached 6.08 TWh last year, up 7.8% from 2024.

Energy storage capacity has been expanding to address the problem. Chile had 2.66 GW and 11.25 GWh of battery storage in operation by end-July, with another 3.15 GW under testing and 5.04 GW under construction. Of the capacity under construction, 71% was associated with solar PV projects and 22% was stand-alone storage.

Wind and solar accounted for 38.6% of Chile's electricity generation in July, producing 3.06 TWh of power. Solar PV generated 1.39 TWh, or 17.5% of the total, while wind produced 1.31 TWh, equivalent to 16.5%.