Socio-economic effects of a HYSOL CSP plant located in different countries: An input output analysis

The aim of this paper is to estimate the socioeconomic effects associated with the production of electricity by a CSP plant with HYSOL configuration, using Input Output Analysis. These effects have been estimated in terms of production of Goods and Services (G&S), multiplier effect, value added, contribution to GDP, employment creation and labor intensity. The analysis has been performed considering that the plant was established in four countries contemplated as suitable for HYSOL technology: Spain, Mexico, Chile and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The results indicate that producing electricity in a HYSOL CSP plant generates positive impacts on the economy and the employment in every country, producing the following ranges of socio-economic effects: a 0.05%-0.38% increment of the national GDP, creation of 11662-21053 jobs-year and production of 1412-2565 M$ of domestic G&S. The economic results are particularly favorable for Spain and Chile, which has been associated with higher multiplier effects (2.05 and 2.01 respectively) and higher demand of G&S in the Operation and Maintenance phase. In the case of Chile, favorable results are also due to the national production of nitrate salts employed in the thermal energy storage system. Employment results are more favorable in Mexico and Chile, which has been associated with the higher labor intensity of its national economies.