Nearly 98% of UC Chile's Energy to Come From Renewable Sources

Every action we take leaves "marks" on the planet, one of which is the carbon footprint. This refers to the amount of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) we emit when consuming energy, traveling, or purchasing products. This footprint can be measured in individuals, institutions, cities, countries, and even events. To manage these emissions more responsibly, strategies such as carbon neutrality exist, which aim to balance GHG emissions through reduction, capture, and offsetting, until a net result equal to zero is achieved.

In 2019, the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability and climate action by undertaking the challenge of becoming a carbon-neutral institution by 2038. The 2024 measurement of the UC Chile carbon footprint was 43,654 tCO2eq, of which 16.1% – or 7,041 tons – corresponds to the energy item that includes electricity supply.

While energy has represented a significant part of the institutional carbon footprint, UC Chile has taken concrete measures to efficiently manage its resources and reduce its impact. Likewise, our institution maintained its status as a free client in its electricity supply connections during the period 2018-2024. This effort to optimize energy consumption and generate significant savings aligns with an even greater transformation in energy management at UC Chile. Along these lines, one of the most relevant advances is the new electricity supply contract with the company Copec EMOAC, which will allow the transition from 5% to 98% energy from renewable sources. This advancement not only drastically reduces the institutional carbon footprint but also reinforces our leadership in the transition towards an energy-sustainable future.

A Structural Change in Energy Supply

The electricity supply contract, finalized between the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, will take effect in the middle of this year, when agreements with the former provider end. The new alliance with Copec EMOAC will allow eight energy connections at the San Joaquín, Casa Central, and Oriente campuses to be supplied with non-conventional renewable energy.

Regarding the bidding process, the Director of Administration and Services at UC Chile, Josefina Edwards, commented that “one of the fundamental criteria in our decision was to ensure that the supply came from certified renewable sources, in line with our institutional commitment to sustainability. Thanks to this process, we were able to award a contract that not only guarantees optimal conditions in economic and operational terms but also allows 98% of the energy consumed by UC Chile to come from renewable sources, thus reinforcing our leadership in sustainability.”

Vannia Toro, general manager of Copec EMOAC, explained that "the energy we supply comes from 100% renewable sources, mainly from wind farms, solar plants, and energy storage units, which reinforces their commitment to sustainability and contributes to their reputation as a leader in innovation and environmental responsibility."

Here’s the current renewable energy status across our campuses:

• San Joaquín Campus: Currently has 5% renewable energy; will reach 100% clean energy thanks to the new initiative.
• Central Campus: Previously had no renewable energy; will achieve a completely sustainable supply.
• Oriente Campus: Will go from no renewable energy sources to 90% renewable energy.

For its part, the Lo Contador Campus, although not included in this bidding process, has already had a renewable energy supply since 2022 through its connection as a free client. With the awarding of these new contracts, 100% of the connections classified as free clients, where there is the capacity to choose the type of energy supply, will operate exclusively with renewable energies.

Regarding the Villarrica Campus, it does not yet have the status of a free client. However, it is important to note that the energy that supplies this space comes from the National Electric System, which has a high participation of renewable energies in its matrix.

At an institutional level, this change will allow for the reduction of approximately 6,500 tons of CO2 equivalent (tCO2eq), which represents a significant impact on climate change mitigation and reinforces UC Chile's commitment to carbon neutrality.

For a Sustainable UC Chile

The incorporation of renewable energy into the university's energy matrix is part of the Climate Action Strategy, which establishes concrete goals to reduce the institution's carbon emissions. In this context, the new Energy Management System (EMS) plays a key role, allowing for efficient monitoring of consumption and continuous improvement in the optimization of energy resources.

"This milestone is the result of sustained work that the Office of the Vice President for Finance, through its Office of Infrastructure, has carried out for years, particularly in the process for our campuses' electrical installations to be considered free clients, based on their installed power. This step was fundamental, as it allowed us to access an energy matrix based on renewable energy with more competitive market conditions and very convenient energy rates for the institution," stated the former Vice President for Finance, María Loreto Massanés.

What does it mean to be a free electricity client?

Being a free electricity client means you can negotiate your own electricity supply instead of being tied to a single distributor. This allows you to purchase electricity directly from generators or even produce it yourself. Some of the main benefits include:

• Lower overall electricity costs,
• Access to a reliable, competitive, and sustainable energy supply,
• Greater certainty and predictability in managing electricity expenses.

The change in electricity supply adds to other initiatives that UC Chile has promoted in terms of sustainability, such as:

• the implementation of energy efficiency technologies,
• the replacement of lighting with LED systems,
• the automation of lighting and air conditioning,
• the construction of buildings under the Chilean certification of sustainable construction (CES),
• and awareness campaigns aimed at the university community.

Former Provost Guillermo Marshall commented that "the signing of this new renewable energy supply contract aligns fully with the strategic objectives of the Catholic University in terms of efficiency, resource optimization, and sustainability."

For its part, from Copec EMOAC, General Manager Vannia Toro highlighted the importance of this agreement and the joint work with the university to ensure a stable and efficient supply of renewable energy.

"This process of collaboration and alignment was key to achieving a renewable energy supply that perfectly adapted to their requirements and those of all their centers, ensuring an efficient and sustainable long-term energy transition."

A Commitment That Transcends

While this change represents a fundamental advance, UC Chile will continue working on reducing energy consumption through complementary strategies, such as the implementation of new technologies, the improvement of air conditioning systems, and the strengthening of an energy efficiency culture within the university community.

"This action is consistent with our Climate Action Strategy, which seeks to integrate sustainability into all areas of the university, since as a higher education institution we have the responsibility to be an example in the promotion of sustainable practices," stated Guillermo Marshall. "Furthermore, this contract allows us to move towards the construction of sustainable campuses that reflect our institutional commitment."

With this initiative, the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile reaffirms its leadership in the transition towards a sustainable development model, demonstrating that it is possible to reconcile academic excellence with responsibility in the care of the Common Home, in line with the call of Pope Francis and its institutional mission.