Utilities in Chile are expensive. The country has no oil or gas reserves of its own and has to import all that it needs. Energy will be one of Chile's greatest challenges in the future. Electricity is generated from coal-fired power stations and hydro-electric plants in the south of the country.

A typical gas bill for a 100m2 apartment with central heating (radiators) would be around us$70 in winter and vastly cheaper in the summer. An electricity bill would be around us$40 and a water bill would be in the region of us$20.