## 2 Potential of Wind Energy Resources in Magallanes Region  
The Magallanes Region, located in the extreme south of Chile, is recognized for its exceptional wind potential, being one of the areas with the greatest wind energy resources in the world. This is primarily due to its unique geographic and climatic conditions, which favor the presence of intense and constant winds [22]. In the Magallanes Region, wind speeds are remarkably high, especially in coastal areas and in open areas of the Patagonian steppe. At an altitude of 100 m, the average wind speeds can exceed 9-12 m/s and even reach peaks of 15 m/s in certain areas. These speeds are significantly higher than those recorded in many other regions of the world, making the Magallanes Region an ideal location for wind energy generation [23]. The hourly wind variation in the Magallanes Region is influenced by local and global weather patterns. In general, winds tend to be strong during the afternoon and evening hours, while they may decrease slightly during the early morning hours. However, the hourly variation is not as pronounced as in other regions, as the winds in Magallanes are relatively constant throughout the day. This is due to the influence of the low-pressure systems that pass through the area and the absence of geographical obstacles that slow the flow of wind. The main factors influencing wind potential are the following:  
* Geography: Patagonia is exposed to westerly winds, which are accelerated by the funnel effect generated by the Andes Mountains. This creates intense and constant air currents. * Climate: The region is dominated by a cold and windy climate, with low temperatures and high atmospheric pressure, which contributes to the generation of strong winds. * Altitude: At higher altitudes, wind speeds increase due to less friction with the Earth's surface. At 100 m above sea level, winds are stronger and more stable than at ground level. The wind potential of the Magallanes Region has led to the development of wind energy projects in the area, such as the Cabo Negro Wind Farm and other projects in their planning phases. These projects take advantage of the high and consistent wind speeds to generate electricity efficiently and sustainably. In short, the Magallanes Region has enormous wind potential due to its high wind speeds, exceeding 9-12 m/s at 100 m above sea level, and its relatively stable hourly variation [24]. These conditions make it one of the most promising regions in the world for wind energy generation. Figure 1 also shows the 13 largest GH2 production projects considered for the period 2025-2050 for the Magallanes region. The spatialization of on-shore wind farms is quite localized. The north region from the Punta Arenas city will concentrate the largest number of wind farms as follows: (i) Energia Verde Austral, (ii) Haru Oni, (iii) Faro del Sur and Cabo Negro, (iv) H1 Magallanes, and (v) Cabeza del Mar. The northeast region from Punta Arenas city will concentrate several numbers of wind farms, as follows: (vi) Gente Grande, (vii) HNH Energy, (viii) Punta Delgada, (ix) H2 Magallanes, (x) Acuario, and (xi) Frontera. Finally, in the east region of Punta Arenas city, we have two wind farms as follows: (xii) Selsknam and (xiii) Sagitario (Figure 2). Figure 1: Map of the wind potential at an average wind turbine height of 100 m and the location of the 13 largest wind farms related with GH2 production projects projected for Magallanes region in period 2025–2050. The speeds recorded in the North, Northeast, and East regions from Punta Arenas City correspond to Classes I and II, for hub heights of 80 m and 100 m. These speeds are also referred to as IEC 61400-1 wind turbine generator systems. Another important characteristic of these regions is their high-capacity factors, ranging from 0.45 to 0.60 [22].