Santiago’s metro system to be mostly powered by sun and wind

World Today

Chile is on track to reduce carbon emissions while still getting people where they need to go.

CCTV America’s Jim Spellman hops aboard the next generation of metro train that gets a little help from Mother Nature.

Santiago Chile’s Metro system will soon be the world’s first public transportation system mostly powered by solar and wind.

Later this year a U.S. based company will begin construction on a solar power plant dedicated to the Metro system. A nearby wind farm will also contribute power to the system.

“It isn’t only symbolic. This is going to be no less than 60 percent of its electric supply, and it will be made of 42 percent solar energy and 18 percent wind power. Who would have imagined, a few years ago, a subway propelled by the wind and the sun?” Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile said.

Other high-profile renewable energy projects are underway around the world. A solar-powered plane is making its way across North America on an around the world flight.

In the U.S. state of Florida construction has begun on a new town that aims to be run entirely on solar power. In Morocco the first phase of what will be the world’s largest solar power plant is now operational. When all phases are complete it will be capable of powering a million homes.

Commitments made at last year’s Paris climate conference are expected to lead to more projects like the plant in Morocco and the Metro in Chile as countries around the world strive to reduce carbon emissions.