BNamericas quoted Mr Javier García, a planning official with Chilean Economic Development Agency, as saying that foreign companies continue to express interest in Chile's renewable power industry despite the global economic slowdown.

Mr García referring to interest to an upcoming renewable energy conference being hosted by Chilean Economic Development Agency and industry group Trade Chile said that "While the crisis has affected all sectors of the economy, energy is one sector that has seen the lowest impact." He added that wind power and mini hydro will continue to attract the most interest from potential investors, as the solar and geothermal industries are still relatively young in Chile. Biomass projects are also increasingly drawing attention.

He said that Chilean Economic Development Agency meanwhile, will continue to help project developers find financing, and investment banks will be out in full force at Chilean Economic Development Agency's September conference on renewable energy investments. Last year's conference saw 1,200 attendees with representatives from 200 companies. Forty projects, meanwhile, were presented to potential investors.

Mr Garcia said that "This year's conference will be focused on technology and the new instruments Chilean Economic Development Agency is developing to promote the development of renewable energy in Chile. We're introducing measures to promote geothermal power, solar power, biofuels and transmission."

He said that Chilean Economic Development Agency will also present more information on tenders launched by Chile's national energy commission earlier in the year for the construction of two solar power plants. He added that "There will be subsidies for the exploration phase of geothermal power in addition to investment subsidies for the solar plants."

Chilean Economic Development Agency's 4th International Conference on Renewable Energy Investments and CDM will be held September 7th 2009 to September 8th 2009 in Santiago.

(Sourced from www.bnamericas.com)