As part of the seminar “The Public Challenge of Environmental Transformations in Chile”—an event held during the university’s Sustainability Week—the launch of “Las energías de Chile,” a new issue of the renowned journal *Anales*, took place. The event featured former President Ricardo Lagos, who presented the book, and included a distinguished panel discussion in which Rodrigo Palma, director of SERC Chile, participated .

On May 28, the Price Waterhouse Auditorium at the University of Chile’s School of Economics and Business opened its doors to the public to mark the launch of the journal *Anales “Las Energías de Chile”*, the latest edition of this distinguished scientific publication founded in 1844, which is the oldest of its kind in Latin America.

The event brought together students, professors, and scientists, as well as the university’s highest authority, Rector Víctor Pérez Vera.
Former President Ricardo Lagos, a member of the *Anales* journal’s editorial board, presented the book and highlighted the relevance of this publication given the current situation in the country. Next, the new issue of the journal was discussed by a panel consisting of Pedro Maldonado, deputy director of the Energy Studies and Research Program; Eduardo Esperguel, an electrical engineer at the same university; and Rodrigo Palma, director of SERC Chile.

“It’s impossible not to mention the current situation in the country and the recent announcement regarding the energy agenda—a challenge for progress for everyone put forth by the government—and when you read the Annals, you’ll find a set of issues that address this agenda, ”Lagos said.

The former president referred to the structure of this issue, which consists of four parts, the first three of which are of great importance.

“These Annals begin with a political overview, followed by a discussion of scientific findings, and then address the concerns of citizens and their empowerment. It is in these three sections that I believe the contribution made is remarkable for its characteristics, clarity, and relevance,” said a member of the journal’s editorial board.

The issue of the relevance of this publication, in light of the government’s 7-point energy agenda, was one of the key points raised during the expert panel discussion that took place following Ricardo Lagos’s presentation.

During the discussion—moderated by Patricio López, a journalist with Radio Universidad de Chile—Rodrigo Palma argued that the government’s energy agenda, while valuable in substance, lacks a long-term vision and goals.

When asked whether the efforts under the energy agenda are aimed at making more room for renewable energy, Palma replied:

“It cannot be said that there has been no progress in this regard. In fact, the change in the law is proof of that. The agenda presented by Minister Pacheco is a starting point, but it lacks the ‘trip to the moon.’ We must dream of a Chile that, within 20 years, can integrate solar and geothermal energy—among others—into its energy mix in a significant way, and even export this energy to the region .”

Palma highlighted the role that universities can play in raising these issues and exploring them further.

“If it turns out there is a path forward, someone will have to take the lead. We need to bring together the necessary resources, and universities have a role to play in that,” he said.