The sun-drenched Tarapacá region of Chile, which has achieved 100% renewable energy generation, aims to develop a local green hydrogen economy.

Tarapacá has some of the greatest solar resources in the world, with solar plants accounting for 440MW of a total installed capacity of 524MW.

According to the energy ministry, officials met with Juan Luza, the head of the local branch of Chile’s college of engineers, which is working on a green hydrogen strategy with academics.

Luza believes Chile may become a “Saudi Arabia” of green hydrogen, and that Tarapacá, which is rich in solar resources, has a lot of promise. “As a result, we’re looking for funding to investigate and build a pilot plant in the region, which would allow us to assess the viability of the future investment and develop these technologies while also meeting domestic and external energy demands.”

Tarapacá has ten active solar power projects in the early development phase, with a declared capex of US$2.89 billion.

The 170MW Sonnedix Atacama project, Tarapacá’s largest solar plant, was dedicated last year by developer Sonnedix and government authorities (pictured, credit Sonnedix).

Chile also boasts a number of green hydrogen initiatives aimed at both domestic and international markets.