With an emphasis on scientific collaboration and innovation applied to the region, SERC Chile highlighted the strategic role of Magallanes as a key region for advancing sustainable, resilient, and nationally replicable energy models.
The seminar “Challenges of the Energy Transition in Magallanes” was held in the Ernesto Livacic Auditorium at the University of Magallanes. The event marked the official launch of the Center for Advanced Decentralized Energy Solutions (SEDA), with the goal of promoting energy solutions tailored to local realities and moving toward a cleaner and more resilient energy mix.
The event brought together representatives from academia, institutions, and the business community, all sharing a common interest: positioning Magallanes as a pioneer in a just, sustainable, and decentralized energy transition. In this context, the director of SERC Chile, Rodrigo Palma, highlighted the region’s strategic role in the national decarbonization process.
During his presentation, Rodrigo Palma stated that “Chile has the opportunity to contribute to global sustainability while taking care of itself. We could supply up to 8% of global electricity consumption, but without repeating the mistake of sacrificing our territory for the benefit of others.”
During his presentation, the scholar emphasized that Magallanes’ energy future should not be limited to green hydrogen, but should instead consider a variety of clean energy sources and decentralized strategies. In this context, he highlighted the region’s potential to lead the way in new forms of energy self-sufficiency at the local level, linked to both its natural resources and its regional needs.
“The drive toward energy self-sufficiency is in Magallanes’ DNA. Today, that commitment can be renewed through wind, solar, and biomass. But with one difference: this time, we can do it while protecting the land and promoting local well-being.” He also added that “electric water transportation in the fjords could take off from Magallanes. Ferries, small-scale fishing, coastal transportation—all of that could be electrified here first, not in Santiago.”
During the seminar, key aspects of local energy development were addressed, such as the legislative work that the SEDA Center has led alongside the Ministry of Energy to propose amendments to the regulatory frameworks for medium-sized and isolated systems. Professor Cristiane Carvalho, from UMAG’s School of Engineering, presented the progress made in this area, while the Regional Minister for Energy in Magallanes, Sergio Cuitiño, highlighted the impact of this work, which is currently being debated in the Chamber of Deputies.
The seminar concluded with a call to deepen regional dialogue and inter-institutional cooperation in order to move toward a sustainable and equitable energy model.
Watch the webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP43_UgiWOw
