AES Andes

The business, formerly known as Chilectra Generacion, was first incorporated via public deed by the federal government in 1981.

In 1987, Chilectra was divided into three independent companies: two distributors (Chilectra and Chilquinta) and a generator and distributor (Chilgener). The majority stake of Chilgener was acquired by AES in the year 2000, as part of a financial transaction that led to the company being renamed AES Gener.

On 23 April 2021, shareholders of the company agreed to change its name again to AES Andes.

Criticism

A plan for a new facility of AES Andes is seen by ESO as a risk thread to the Paranal Observatory, the location of the Very Large Telescope (VLT). The new facility is called INNA. The project would be equipped with 1000 lights and increase the light pollution over the VLT by at least 35%. The site of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), ESO's new prime telescope, would see an increase of light pollution by at least 5%. Additionally vibrations would increase turbulence especially by wind turbines, decreasing seeing by 40%. Vibrations would impact the VLT and the ELT, which are very sensitive to micro-seismic noise during observations. Dust during construction could also settle on the mirrors of the telescopes. Another telescope site that would be heavily impacted is the southern part of the Cherenkov Telescope Array, increasing light pollution by 55%. A full report was submitted to the Chilean authorities in the end of March 2025. An executive summary of the report is available online for the public in advance. ESO demands a relocation of the project, but supports the development of a green-energy project at another site. As of December 2024 the project was in early-stage development and AES Andes did not make an investment decision. A memorandum of understanding concerning the project was signed between AES Andes and Samsung C&T.