Wartsila opened a new branch office in Antofagasta in northern Chile. The new office enables Wartsila to improve its service to regional customers, especially the region's mining industry and electricity suppliers.
A spate of recent orders and contracts is indicative of the company's growth throughout South America, and support facilities are crucial to maintaining this growth. Wartsila began operations in Chile in 1993 with the installation of a power plant in the Tarapaca region. The company has since added offices in Valparaiso and Talcahuano employing more than 40 people serving the marine and electricity supply markets. 
The new office will be joined in October by a workshop and together they will employ eight persons. 
"Given the growth of the Chilean mining sector, the need to secure the generation of electricity in a convenient and efficient way has become essential. Wartsila is able to provide this need and support the mining and energy sectors with imaginative and flexible solutions. The opening of these offices is an indication of the company's commitment to the region", said Mr Remigio Penarreta, General Manager, Wartsila in Chile, emphasising Wartsila's commitment to supporting its customers in northern Chile. 
Mining is the fastest growing sector in the Chilean economy, and Antofagasta is a main hub for the industry. The new Antofagasta office and workshop will thus be well-placed for the long-term development of Wartsila's business in Chile and for the support of the Chilean economy. 
In Chile, Wartsila has more than 500 MW installed in marine and land applications. In general electrical supply in Chile, the company has installed more than 140 MW of power capacity.