Chile's Superintendency of Electricity and Fuels (SEC) has issued new sanctions against Engie Energía Chile and Generadora Metropolitana following an investigation into the blackout that left 98.5% of the Chilean population without power on February 25, 2025.
The regulatory body imposed a total fine of 30,000 Monthly Tax Units (UTM), equivalent to approximately 2.07 billion pesos. Both companies were fined 15,000 UTM each.
The resolution states that the companies exhibited deficiencies in the configuration and operation of their protection systems. These failures directly contributed to the fragmentation of the National Electric System during the emergency.
In the case of Engie Energía Chile, the SEC detected non-compliance in the protection settings of its photovoltaic plants. Meanwhile, Generadora Metropolitana was cited for failures in the sub-power protections at its thermal power plant.
Cumulative fines and corporate response
These new fines bring the total amount of sanctions issued as part of this investigation to over 35 billion pesos. The investigation has previously penalized companies such as Interchile, Transelec, CGE Transmisión, and AES Andes, among others.
Engie Energía has challenged the resolution and announced it will pursue legal recourse to request a review of the measure. The company maintained that the fine affects a small-scale solar farm in the Arica y Parinacota region.
“Today's SEC sanction is unrelated to the causes or the service restoration process of the event that occurred in the National Electric System,” the company stated in a press release.
In contrast, the SEC decided to clear Bioenergías Forestales of any wrongdoing after reviewing the technical evidence of the case. Superintendent Marta Cabeza Vargas emphasized that these decisions aim to strengthen the security of the national power grid.
“The message is clear: facilities must operate according to the standards required by current regulations, especially during contingency situations,” said Cabeza Vargas.
The authority warned that the investigation remains open and has not ruled out further sanctions should additional liabilities be identified.