The bookish, UK-born Tokman is credited with the efficient management of an electricity system that was nearing overload, and with using the situation to propel renewables.

He has helped to create financial and resource-support mechanisms for green fuels through the Chilean economic development agency, CORFO , to fulfil legislation mandating that electricity utilities produce 5% of all energy from ‘non-conventional’ sources, which — in contrast to its South American neighbours — do not include big dams.

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