The regulatory effort addresses a gap in Chile’s energy framework as the country lacks specific guidelines for testing, certifying, and deploying second-life batteries. Without clear standards, utilities and industrial users face uncertainty about safety protocols, performance guarantees, and liability frameworks. The working group’s mandate includes defining technical requirements, establishing certification procedures, and creating guidelines for integration into existing energy infrastructure.
Chile’s initiative parallels broader regional energy governance reforms. Paraguay’s National Electric Sector Working Group continues analyzing proposals to create a Ministry of Energy, Mining and Hydrocarbons and an independent Energy Regulatory Entity, reflecting institutional modernization across South American power sectors. Paraguay faces mounting pressure as electricity demand surged 49.8% over three years, with experts warning the country will require new generation capacity by 2028-2030 to avoid supply deficits.
The Chilean regulatory push coincides with the Ministry of Energy updating the National Energy Efficiency Plan under Law 21.305, which requires renewal every five years. The ministry has opened public consultation through September 3, seeking input from civil society, industry, and academia. The Atacama region’s energy secretary emphasized efficiency measures will reduce costs and improve competitiveness while supporting sustainable development goals.
The second-life battery working group represents a targeted approach to capturing value from Chile’s position in the lithium supply chain. As global automakers scale electric vehicle production, the volume of batteries reaching end-of-life in automotive applications will surge, creating supply for repurposing markets. Chile’s early regulatory framework development may position domestic players to capture technical services, certification, and integration contracts as the second-life market expands across Latin America.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
