Proprietary data
Data Center Power & Policy in Chile
Every government action on data centers and power in Chile that we have verified: moratoriums, grid rules, incentives, tariffs and plans, with the power indicators that drive site selection.
By Amit Jain
Reviewed by Deepti Agrawal
Updated 12 October 2026
In short
As of 12 October 2026, DC Market Insights tracks 7 government actions on data centers and power in Chile, 6 of them in force. We have found no moratorium or restriction on new data centers in force in Chile.
Market snapshot
Chile power and policy: key facts
- Renewable share of electricity generation: 66% (2025). Rank 2 of 22 tracked countries, highest first.
- Grid emission factor: 0.24 kgCO2/kWh (2023). Rank 10 of 15 tracked countries, highest first.
- Latest change: Methodology for the National Electric System emission factors (Res. 61 exenta 2026) (Ministry of Energy, 17 Sep 2026).
- By type: 4 regulation, 1 renewable energy, 1 other and 1 plan or strategy.
Power indicators for Chile
Latest official figure for each indicator, with earlier years where we have them.
In force now in Chile
Renewable energy (1)
Methodology for the National Electric System emission factors (Res. 61 exenta 2026)
The Ministry of Energy set the official method to calculate the operational and the residual emission factor of the National Electric System (SEN), used for carbon accounting of electricity buyers such as data centers. The annual SEN factor is published in February of the following year.
Regulation (3)
Emission standard for generator sets (DS 38/2020) and its 2026 review
DS 38 of 2020 sets the national emission standard for new diesel (compression-ignition) generator sets with engine power of 19 kW or more, which covers data center backup generators. DS 26 of 2025 moved the deadline for the stricter limits on new generator sets (Tier IV-class) to 15 Sep 2028. Resolution 338 exenta (22 Jan 2026, Diario Oficial 16 Feb 2026) opened a review of DS 38 with a 45-day public comment period.
SEA evaluation criterion for data center projects in the SEIA (Res. Ex. 20269910149)
The Environmental Evaluation Service set a standard criterion for data centers in the environmental impact assessment system (SEIA). Data centers have no SEIA category of their own; entry is decided case by case by the associated works: high-voltage lines over 23 kV, generating units over 3 MW (emergency vs backup generators assessed case by case), and diesel or refrigerant storage. Resolution dated 20 Jan 2026; in force on publication of the extract in the Diario Oficial (25 Feb 2026).
Framework Law on Sectoral Authorizations (Law 21.770)
Law 21.770 reforms sectoral permitting for investment projects, including data centers: many permits are replaced by notices and sworn statements, applicants can invoke administrative silence when deadlines pass, a unified sectoral permits information system is created, and projects with a favourable environmental approval (RCA) may keep the rules in force at filing for up to 8 years. Published and in force 29 Sep 2025; much of it depends on implementing regulations.
Plan or strategy (1)
National Data Center Plan (PDATA) 2024-2030
Government plan to grow the data center industry while decentralising it from the Santiago Metropolitan Region toward regions with solar and wind power. Nine measures: a geospatial siting tool (IDE Chile), a guide to critical permits, standard SEIA environmental assessment criteria, a Clean Production Agreement (energy, water, carbon), a state multi-cloud service, skills, AI campuses in renewable regions, AI compute for R&D, and a multi-stakeholder follow-up committee. Plan states installed capacity of 198 MW and expects the industry to triple in five years.
Other (1)
Government guide: How to install a data center in Chile (PDATA, 1st ed.)
Reference guide under the National Data Center Plan. It notes data centers are classed as 'energy infrastructure' and 'nuisance industry' in land-use plans, which limits urban sites (mixed-use zones suggested); advises sites with substation capacity and early coordination with the Coordinador Eléctrico Nacional; gives permit times (DIA 12-18 months, building permit 6-8 months, archaeological permit about 18 months); and says the Ministry of Economy coordinates projects of US$100 million or more.
Announced and proposed
Measures that are not yet in force. Status changes when the rule takes effect or is withdrawn.
Personal Data Protection Law (Law 21.719)
New data protection law replacing Law 19.628 and creating the Personal Data Protection Agency. It sets rules for international transfers of personal data (lawful transfers to countries with adequate protection or under safeguards). Published 13 Dec 2024; takes effect 1 Dec 2026.
Timeline of data center and power policy in Chile
| Date | Action | Type | Status | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Sep 2026 | Methodology for the National Electric System emission factors (Res. 61 exenta 2026) | Renewable energy | In force | Ministry of Energy |
| 22 Jan 2026 | Emission standard for generator sets (DS 38/2020) and its 2026 review | Regulation | In force | Ministry of the Environment (MMA) |
| 20 Jan 2026 | SEA evaluation criterion for data center projects in the SEIA (Res. Ex. 20269910149) | Regulation | In force | Servicio de Evaluación Ambiental (SEA), Ministry of the Environment |
| 29 Sep 2025 | Framework Law on Sectoral Authorizations (Law 21.770) | Regulation | In force | Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism |
| 1 Jun 2025 | Government guide: How to install a data center in Chile (PDATA, 1st ed.) | Other | In force | Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation (MinCiencia) |
| 13 Dec 2024 | Personal Data Protection Law (Law 21.719) | Regulation | Announced | National Congress / Ministry General Secretariat of the Presidency |
| 5 Dec 2024 | National Data Center Plan (PDATA) 2024-2030 | Plan or strategy | In force | Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation (MinCiencia) |
How Chile compares
Latest official figures for the countries we track.
| Country | Industrial power price | Renewable share | Grid emission factor | Restrictions in force | Incentives in force |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | — | 39% (2025) | — | 0 | 2 |
| Bangladesh | — | 2% (2025) | — | 0 | 0 |
| Brazil | — | 86.8% (2025) | 0.07 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 0 | 1 |
| Chile | — | 66% (2025) | 0.24 kgCO2/kWh (2023) | 0 | 0 |
| France | 104 USD/MWh (2025) | 27% (2025) | 0.02 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 0 | 1 |
| Germany | 180 USD/MWh (2025) | 58.8% (2025) | 0.34 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 1 | 0 |
| India | 82.1 USD/MWh (2025) | 28.7% (2026) | 0.68 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 0 | 5 |
| Indonesia | 62.9 USD/MWh (2024) | 16.3% (2025) | 0.68 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 1 |
| Ireland | 234 USD/MWh (2025) | 41.3% (2024) | 0.20 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 2 | 0 |
| Japan | — | 23.1% (2024) | 0.45 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 0 |
| Kazakhstan | — | 14.6% (2025) | 0.81 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 0 | 0 |
| Malaysia | 105 USD/MWh (2026) | 21% (2025) | 0.74 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 1 | 1 |
| Nepal | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Netherlands | 148 USD/MWh (2025) | 49% (2025) | 0.20 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 4 | 0 |
| Pakistan | 97.5 USD/MWh (2026) | 34.7% (2025) | — | 0 | 1 |
| Russia | — | 17.6% (2025) | — | 2 | 0 |
| Singapore | 189 USD/MWh (2025) | 2.1% (2024) | 0.40 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 0 |
| South Korea | — | 9.8% (2025) | — | 0 | 0 |
| Sri Lanka | — | 60.2% (2025) | — | 0 | 0 |
| United Arab Emirates | 120 USD/MWh (2026) | 8.8% (2024) | 0.47 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 0 |
| United Kingdom | 234 USD/MWh (2026) | 52.1% (2025) | 0.15 kgCO2/kWh (2026) | 1 | 1 |
| United States | 86.2 USD/MWh (2025) | 24% (2025) | 0.35 kgCO2/kWh (2023) | 0 | 1 |
| Uzbekistan | 83.3 USD/MWh (2026) | 19.4% (2025) | — | 1 | 0 |
Questions
Is there a data center moratorium in Chile?
We have found no moratorium or restriction on new data centers in force in Chile as of 12 October 2026. Proposed or announced measures, if any, are listed in the timeline.
How much of Chile’s electricity is renewable?
Renewables supplied 66% of electricity generation in Chile in 2025.
Where does this data come from?
Each action comes from a page we opened: a law, regulation, gazette notice, ministry or regulator release, grid operator notice or investment agency page, and only when official text is not available a company or trade publication. A second analyst re-opens the source before an item is published. Government sources are linked on the page; all sources come with the Excel data.
What counts as a restriction or moratorium?
A government or grid operator rule that stops, pauses, caps or conditions new data center capacity or grid connections, for a country or a region within it. Proposals are shown as proposed until they take effect.
How are power prices compared?
We use each country’s official statistics for industrial or non-household electricity, converted to US dollars per MWh at the average rate for the year where needed, and show the year and source. Contract prices for data centers can differ.
How often is it updated?
Countries are reviewed on a rolling schedule and changes are added as they are announced. Each item shows the date of the action.
Choosing a market or a site?
Our analysts prepare country briefings on power, grid access, incentives and permits, with every source, in Excel.