The meeting, held at the British Residence, brought together representatives from the energy, mining, infrastructure, automotive and professional services sectors for a strategic discussion on the priorities of Chile’s energy agenda and the challenges involved in strengthening investment and the country’s competitiveness.

Santiago, 25 August 2026. The Chilean-British Chamber of Commerce (BritCham Chile) held an executive breakfast this morning with Undersecretary of Energy Hugo Briones at the British Residence, bringing together a select group of senior executives and representatives from the public and private sectors to discuss the main challenges and opportunities facing Chile’s energy sector.

The closed-door meeting was structured around a direct and open conversation, aimed at facilitating an exchange of perspectives between the Undersecretary and business representatives on issues of strategic importance to the country’s development, including investment, energy infrastructure development, the energy transition, security of supply and competitiveness.

The event was led by Christopher Lyon, President of BritCham Chile and Partner at Deloitte, who welcomed the Undersecretary and representatives of the participating companies and institutions.

The discussion highlighted the close relationship between energy development and key sectors of the Chilean economy, particularly mining, infrastructure and industry, as well as the importance of creating the conditions required to mobilise investment and respond to the country’s evolving energy needs.

The breakfast brought together a diverse group of business representatives, including Juan Somavia, External and Government Affairs Manager at Anglo American; Manuel Matamala, Associate Director at Turner & Townsend; Ezequiel Racioppi, General Manager of Watson-Marlow Bombas Chile Ltda.; Marcelo Aceituno, Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs at Collahuasi; Verónica Cortés, Energy Manager at Collahuasi; Héctor Salgado, Partner at BDO; Gustavo Villamizar, Director of Natural Resources and Infrastructure for Chile and Colombia at Turner & Townsend; and Yousef Salomón, Electromobility and New Business Manager at Inchcape.

Also in attendance was Gabriel García, Energy, Environment and Mining Officer at the British Embassy, together with representatives from the Undersecretariat of Energy: María Fernanda Rocco, International Relations Adviser; Fernando Ortiz, Head of the International Office; and Óscar Tuca, Communications Adviser to the Undersecretary.

Public-private dialogue to address energy sector challenges

The meeting forms part of BritCham Chile’s ongoing work to promote opportunities for dialogue between public authorities, businesses and investors on strategic issues affecting the country’s growth and competitiveness.

Against a backdrop of a changing energy mix, new transmission and storage requirements, growing electricity demand and the needs of energy-intensive sectors, public-private collaboration is becoming increasingly important in advancing towards a secure, competitive and sustainable energy system.

The breakfast brought together perspectives from companies operating across mining, energy, infrastructure, electromobility, engineering and professional services, reinforcing the importance of addressing the country’s energy challenges through a cross-sectoral and long-term approach.

BritCham Chile will continue to promote high-level meetings of this kind as part of its commitment to strengthening public-private engagement and creating opportunities that contribute to investment, innovation, competitiveness and Chile’s sustainable economic development.