Solar and wind records in Chile drive the need for forecasts: Suncast expands its offer to the industry

With record levels in solar and wind energy, September proved the strength of Chile’s energy transition. The national company Suncast takes a step forward with specialized models for PMG and run-of-river power plants, strengthening renewable integration in a high-penetration NCRE scenario.

September hit a milestone for the Sistema Eléctrico Nacional (SEN): on the 30th of that month, renewable energy reached a 92.25% share, with solar and wind power representing 79.38% of the total. With records such as 8,030 MW of solar power on September 22 and 3,920 MW of wind energy on September 9, the growing variability in energy generation and the need for increasingly accurate forecasts are evident. In this context, Suncast’s new forecasting services are essential in anticipating energy generation of PMG and run-of-river power plants, facilitating a more efficient and secure operation for the SEN.

“Renewable energies currently are the most competitive and cleanest source of energy generation, and their efficient integration to SEN is essential for reducing costs and emissions. Optimal scheduling prioritizes the supply of solar and wind energy, followed by hydroelectric power, minimizing the use of expensive and polluting thermoelectric plants. In order to achieve this, the Coordinador Eléctrico Nacional (CEN) needs to anticipate the houry availability of renewable generation in the following days”, explained Pedro Correa, Suncast’s CTO, who acknowledges the renewable statistics, and, at the same time, points out the importance of continuing to work so that the numbers are not just a record but a daily figure. 

Los servicios de predicción de Suncast ya están en funcionamiento: entregando pronósticos diarios de generación para los próximos 10 días de PMG eólicos y solares y de centrales hidroeléctricas de pasada, cubriendo actualmente el 20% de la capacidad instalada de este último tipo de centrales en Chile. “A diferencia de las centrales de embalse, estas plantas suelen ser de menor tamaño y no almacenan agua; utilizando el caudal natural de los ríos. Por esta razón, su generación varía directamente con los afluentes de la cuenca correspondiente”, explica el líder tecnológico.

Energy transition on a steady pace: Follow-up

In 2024, according to data provided by (SEN), renewable energies reached a milestone on October 10, between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m., reaching a 93% share of the country’s electricity generation. Almost a year later, on September 30, the record was repeated at an equally outstanding level with 92.25% of renewable generation, predominantly driven by solar and wind energy. This behavior reflects the continuation of the sustained trend toward a greener energy matrix and the consolidation of Chile’s leadership of clean energy.

Along these lines of study on the 2024 and 2025 peaks, Suncast’s CTO emphasizes that the challenge is not only to achieve new records but also to maintain stable and sustainable growth. “At Suncast, we work to make sure this progress translates into operational efficiency. Our services are positioned as the most reliable ally for the decarbonization goal and ensure regulatory compliance with the CEN, automating the submission of forecasts, reducing errors, and allowing operators to focus on strategic decisions that strengthen the continuity and reliability of the electrical system”.