Remote power: Schneider Electric outlines sectors driving modular electrical room adoption in Chile

Mining, renewable energy and data centers are leading adoption of modular electrical rooms, or E-Houses, in Chile, driven by demand for rapid deployment, operational continuity and remote operation capabilities. 

France's Schneider Electric said the trend is expected to consolidate through 2026-27, citing energy storage (BESS), hyperscale data centers and digital mining.

To discuss this and more, BNamericas spoke with Ignacio Ugalde, power systems director for Schneider Electric's Andino Sur cluster.

In simple terms, E-Houses are prefabricated, transportable walk-in enclosures for the housing of switchgear and associated equipment.

BNamericas: In Chile, which sectors or projects are leading the adoption of modular electrical rooms? Why?

Ugalde: In Chile, adoption of modular electrical rooms is being led mainly by the mining, renewable energy and data center sectors. Projects in regions such as Antofagasta and Atacama stand out, where the need to operate in remote areas has driven solutions that prioritize efficiency, rapid implementation and reliability. Looking ahead to 2026-2027, no structural change is projected in the demand sectors, but rather a sustained acceleration driven by the expansion of renewable energy and the advancement of digitalization.

In these sectors, characterized by high operational continuity requirements and demanding environmental conditions, modular electrical rooms – or E-Houses – have consolidated themselves as a strategic solution. Their main value lies in the significant reduction in implementation times (from months to weeks), increased seismic and operational safety, and their ability to adapt to complex environments. They also allow more agile integration with digital systems, aligning with the country’s decarbonization goals and its growing share of renewable energy.

This is complemented by their flexibility and ability to incorporate advanced automation, monitoring and remote-management technologies. These characteristics not only optimize operation and maintenance, but also reduce costs and improve response capacity in the event of failures or contingencies, strengthening the overall reliability of operations.

BNamericas: What's the outlook?

Ugalde: Adoption of modular electrical rooms is expected to continue consolidating itself as a dominant trend in Chile during 2026-2027, especially in mining and renewable energy. Rather than a change in direction, deeper use is expected, driven by their ability to solve critical challenges such as operation in remote areas, the need for high continuity and optimization of execution timelines.

This trend will be reinforced by the growth of battery energy storage systems (BESS), considering official projections pointing to more than 2GW of installed capacity by 2028, key for efficiently integrating variable renewable energy such as solar and wind. Likewise, development of modular hyperscale data centers and the advancement of digital mining will continue driving demand for flexible, scalable and rapidly deployable electrical solutions. Together, these factors will consolidate modular electrical rooms as a key component of the country’s energy and digital infrastructure.

BNamericas: What are the pros and cons of these solutions compared with traditional infrastructure?

Ugalde: Modular electrical rooms (E-Houses) present clear advantages over traditional electrical infrastructure. They allow installation times to be reduced by as much as 70%-80%, integrating medium-, low- and high-voltage equipment into prefabricated modules ready for operation. This reduces logistics costs, lowers labor exposure in remote environments such as the Atacama Desert and facilitates digitalization for real-time monitoring, remote management and energy efficiency. In addition, they are scalable, relocatable and resistant to seismic and extreme weather conditions, making them particularly suitable for mining and renewable energy projects, while aligning with sustainability goals.

In terms of challenges, these are not insurmountable disadvantages, but rather aspects requiring planning. Initial cost may be higher due to customized design and factory manufacturing, although this is offset by savings in logistics and commissioning times. Transport of large modules requires optimized routes, and digital integration requires specialized suppliers, which can limit options in less developed markets. With the right strategy, these challenges are manageable and do not diminish the efficiency and reliability of the solution.

BNamericas: Are there limits or restrictions regarding their use? In other words, are they suitable only for projects within a certain voltage range, for example?

Ugalde: No, modular electrical rooms do not have strict voltage restrictions because they can be custom-designed for low, medium and even high voltage (up to 35kV or more), complying with international regulations (IEC, NFPA) and Chilean electrical safety standards.

The main limitations are more physical and operational in nature: they include maximum dimensions for transport and maneuvering at the site, thermal load capacity of the equipment and logistics associated with installation in remote or hard-to-access terrain. With proper planning, these restrictions do not prevent E-Houses from adapting to projects of different sizes and complexity levels, from data centers and solar parks to large mining operations.

BNamericas: What is Schneider’s role (manufacturer or otherwise) in this field?

Ugalde: Schneider Electric has developed a portfolio of E-House solutions that combines energy efficiency, digitalization and modular design, maximizing energy use while complying with environmental regulations and standards. These modular units provide a comprehensive and flexible electrical infrastructure that includes transformers, switchboards, and control and monitoring systems, and can be adapted to the specific requirements of each project.

Thanks to their compact and robust design, E-Houses adapt to different environments, making them an ideal option for sectors such as mining, energy, oil, gas and chemicals. In mining operations, for example, they provide a safe and reliable environment for critical equipment, ensuring operational continuity even in remote locations. In the energy sector, they facilitate the distribution and control of electrical power in complex and demanding environments.

In addition, these solutions enable advanced digital integration, facilitating automation, monitoring and remote management of electrical assets. This not only reduces operating costs, but also improves response capacity in the event of failures or emergencies, strengthening operational reliability.

BNamericas: Could you tell us whether Schneider is currently quoting or executing any projects in Chile?

Ugalde: Yes. In Chile, Schneider Electric is actively involved in modular electrical room (E-House) projects, mainly in the mining and renewable energy sectors, with a strong presence in regions such as Antofagasta and Atacama. These solutions are being applied both in mining expansion projects – for example, in grinding and flotation plants – and in hybrid renewable energy parks that include battery energy storage systems (BESS), supporting the integration of solar and wind power.

Thanks to their modular and digitalized design, these projects reduce installation times, improve operational safety and facilitate remote management of critical assets in remote and demanding environments.

BNamericas: Regarding the rest of the region, where do you see opportunities for the solution and in which sectors?

Ugalde: In a context of expanding strategic projects and adoption of clean technologies, modular solutions are consolidating themselves as a reliable, efficient and scalable alternative. Their ability to reduce implementation times, guarantee operational continuity and comply with high technical standards makes them a key element in accelerating the energy transformation of strategic sectors in Latin America.

In this sense, we see significant opportunities for modular electrical rooms (E-Houses) in the region, especially in sectors driven by the energy transition and digitalization, such as mining, energy and data centers. These sectors require solutions capable of supporting challenging operating conditions, ensuring constant availability and facilitating the integration of advanced technologies for efficiency and remote monitoring.

(The original version of this content was written in Spanish)