The race to build energy projects in Chile, fueled by European and British investments, is raising concerns about the environmental impact of green hydrogen production. While the projects aim to accelerate the global energy transition, critics argue that they may come at a high cost to the region's wildlife and local communities.
Alfonso Campos, a sheep farmer in San Gregorio, Chile, expresses his fears about the proposed projects surrounding his farm. He warns that ammonia leaks could poison the land, the noise of wind turbines will disturb animals, and the landscape will be transformed into an industrial zone. These concerns echo those of Chilean researchers, environmentalists, and community leaders who argue that the projects threaten wildlife and jeopardize the livelihoods of farmers and fishing communities.
Green hydrogen, produced by using renewable electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, is a key component in the transition to clean energy. However, the process can also involve combining hydrogen with carbon to create e-fuels and with nitrogen to produce green ammonia, which has various industrial applications. The European Union aims to import 10 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030, with Chile as a key supplier.
Several European and British companies are investing in Chile's green hydrogen megaprojects, including HNH Energy, TotalEnergies, Hive and TEG, and Acciona Nordex. These projects involve the construction of wind farms, solar parks, and industrial infrastructure, spanning thousands of square kilometers. The Spanish-German wind turbine firm Acciona Nordex plans to build another green hydrogen plant on Tierra del Fuego island.
While the projects are expected to create jobs and boost the local economy, critics argue that the environmental impact cannot be ignored. Carmen Espoz Larraín, a marine biologist, warns that desalination plants will discharge water with high salt content and coagulants back into the sea, affecting marine life and birds. The projects, she says, could decimate the bird population and transform the fragile ecosystem of the Magellan Strait.
The Chilean government aims to produce 13% of the world's green hydrogen in the Magallanes and Antarctica region, which could cover 20,000 square kilometers with wind farms and industrial infrastructure. However, critics like Espoz Larraín argue that these projects are a form of green colonialism, using Chilean natural resources for the global north's transition to clean energy.
Despite the concerns, the Chilean government and energy minister, Álvaro García, emphasize the importance of environmental safeguards and the need to balance economic development with environmental protection. The government aims to incentivize local demand for green hydrogen while also becoming exporters of this energy source.
The challenges are complex, and the future of these projects remains uncertain. As the debate continues, the fate of Chile's natural environment and the livelihoods of its people hang in the balance.
