Among Bolivian state hydrocarbons company YPFB’s subsidiaries is Chaco Energías, which is tasked with power generation.
The Santa Cruz–based unit operates the 140MW Bulo Bulo natural gas-fired power plant in Cochabamba department, which provides firm capacity to the wholesale power market and also operates as a cold reserve.
More recently, however, Chaco has stepped up efforts to expand its mandate, which includes energy diversification through the development of renewable sources.
The government plan of President Rodrigo Paz, who took office in November, calls for displacing gas-fired power production with renewables, particularly due to the country’s falling gas output.
“We want to position ourselves as a leading company in the energy transition,” Chaco head Alejandro Torres Cortez said in a presentation.
“One of Chaco Energías’ major objectives is to complete the development of the Percheles wind farm, and we have already completed the feasibility studies for phase two,” he added.
Phase two envisions 100MW for export, while a 30MW first phase would be injected into the national grid.
Environmental and electrical studies have also begun to help secure financing for the wind project.
To support Percheles and potential solar projects, Torres said a memorandum of understanding has been signed with Sweden’s embassy, whereby the latter will help identify Swedish cooperation funds.
Other actions underway highlighted by the Chaco executive include conceptual engineering studies for green hydrogen and work to support the decarbonization of upstream operator YPFB Chaco, which is the primary stakeholder of Chaco Energías.
The YPFB Chaco program involves sourcing electricity from the national grid to free up gas used for self-consumption and improve efficiency.
At the macro level, Torres stressed the need for a modern regulatory framework for public–private partnerships to help Chaco Energías contribute to the energy transition.
Paz’s center-right administration aims to reopen the energy sector through reforms targeting greater private-sector participation.
(The original version of this content was written in English)
