AES Andes Files EIS for USD-10BN Green H2, Ammonia Project in Chile

South American power producer AES Andes has submitted an environmental impact study (EIS) for a USD-10-billion (EUR 9.58bn) green hydrogen and ammonia project in Chile. The project proposes to establish a wind and solar-powered industrial-scale complex near mining sites and port facilities in the region of Antofagasta.

This ambitious project underscores the company’s commitment to advancing renewable energy and supporting decarbonization efforts.

The project, called Inna, is in early-stage development, and the company has yet to make an investment decision, Javier Dib, AES Chile Market Business Leader, said in a press release on Tuesday.

The Inna project aims to leverage Antofagasta’s rich renewable resources to produce green hydrogen and ammonia on an industrial scale.

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According to the EIS filing, the Inna project would involve the construction of three solar farms, three wind farms, a battery energy storage system, power lines and substations, facilities for the production of gaseous and liquid electrolytic hydrogen and ammonia, a desalination plant with a water pipeline, storage for the gaseous and liquid hydrogen, and a pipeline that will carry ammonia to a maritime terminal.

AES Andes estimates that the gaseous hydrogen production plant would consume around 1.68 GW of electricity for an output estimated at 217,023 tonnes/year, or 595 tonnes/day. Of that, 116,000 tonnes/year (318 tonnes/day) will be used for the production of green ammonia, and 101,023 tonnes/year (277 tonnes/day) for liquid hydrogen.

If constructed, the Inna complex would occupy a surface area of around 3,021 hectares (7,465 acres) in Taltal, a northern Chilean commune rich in wind and solar resources. Taltal’s proximity to ports, power transmission infrastructure, and mining companies that need to decarbonize their energy consumption makes it an ideal location for Inna. AES Andes stated in the filing that the project could contribute to creating a hydrogen valley in Antofagasta.

AES Andes also noted it had signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korean construction and engineering company Samsung C&T Corp (KRX:028260) to evaluate the joint development of the Inna project. This collaboration will focus on green hydrogen production for both domestic use and export.