Chile President Michelle Bachelet announced that Santiago (capital of Chile) train soon would run on solar and wind energy! The Metro de Santiago is far from being a small commuter train. Used daily by 2.5 million people, it has 5 lines to 108 stations and 110 km of railways! No less.
“Our citizens are able to travel aboard a subway that protects the planet, reduce our carbon footprint and makes possible a sustainable future for all,” Michelle Bachelet told recently in a press conference.
Initially, the objective of the Chilean authorities is to increase to 60% the share of renewable energy feeding the Santiago metro, starting from 2018.
To achieve this objective, the Atacama Desert will host two new plants: Pelicano, which produced 42% of the energy needed for the train and San Juan, a wind farm that will provide 18% of the total energy for an overall cost of € 500 million.
A subway that protects the planet
This investment would reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of 130,000 tons per year. “This is a great opportunity for the development of our city and our country,” said Michelle Bachelet who did not want to stop there! Her next goal is the production of 70% of Chile’s electricity from renewables by 2050!
