Enel Green Power Chile (EGP Chile) is collaborating with AME, ENAP, Siemens Energy and Porsche, on the installation of a pilot plant for green hydrogen production through an electrolyzer fueled by wind energy in Cabo Negro, in the Magallanes Region.
The development is subject to the approval of local authorities and finalization of the financing structure. The facility is expected to be commissioned in 2022, making it the first plant of its kind to produce green hydrogen in Chile as well as one of the largest in Latin America.
“Green hydrogen can truly play a major role in the energy transition by supporting decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors where electrification of end uses is not an easy solution. Enel focuses on this type of hydrogen, which is produced via electrolyzers, powered by 100% renewable electricity. This project, which is a milestone for the Group globally, can put our vision into practice. Specifically, a project like this can allow us to analyze the best technological solutions to efficiently produce hydrogen by leveraging on the Magallanes Region’s wealth of resources and robust infrastructure. As we are doing in Chile, we will continue scouting for other countries worldwide where similar initiatives can be launched.”
Salvatore Bernabei, newly-appointed Global CEO of Enel Green Power and head of Enel’s Global Power Generation business line.
Chile is emerging as one of the countries with the greatest potential for the production and export of green hydrogen in the world. According to Chile’s Ministry of Energy, up to 20% of the country’s cumulated CO2 reduction by 2050 will be made possible through cost-effective green hydrogen.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that Chile is able to produce 160 million tons of green hydrogen per year, doubling the current demand for hydrogen, and according to Bloomberg projections, the price of green hydrogen will be competitive with diesel in approximately less than 10 years.
