It was created as a subsidiary of the state-owned CORFO on 1 December 1943 and was privatized in 1989.

Besides Chile, the Company has investments in Argentina, Colombia and Peru.

It also has unconsolidated equity investments in companies engaged primarily in the electricity generation, transmission and distribution business in Brazil.

Endesa Chile owns a 51% stake in the controversial HidroAysén project in Aisén Region, which would build 5 hydropower dams on two of Chile's largest wild rivers, the Baker and the Pascua.

[citation needed] Enel has signed a contract to deliver renewable power to SCM Minera Lumina Copper Chile starting in January 2021.