Nestled in the sun-soaked embrace of northern Chile, a new energy horizon is dawning, one fueled by the promise of green hydrogen. As the world seeks sustainable energy solutions, Hamburg-based hydrogen producer Eternal Power is teaming up with local partners to explore the vast potential of Chile’s desert regions.
With renewable energy sources like solar and wind, the stage is set for the large-scale production of green hydrogen, transforming Chile into a global green energy exporter.
Chile’s arid landscapes provide the ideal canvas for cultivating green energy. The region’s relentless sun and potent winds can be harnessed to convert desalinated seawater into ammonia and methanol, heralding a new era of green hydrogen production. Eternal Power envisions the first shipments of green hydrogen and its derivatives reaching Europe, including Germany, by 2030, opening doors to a carbon-neutral energy future.
One of the crown jewels in Chile’s green hydrogen quest lies in its favorable production conditions. Blessed with abundant sunlight and wind, Chile can offer green hydrogen at remarkably competitive prices. In its national hydrogen strategy, the Chilean Ministry of Energy forecasts prices around US$1.50 per kilogram of hydrogen. As the country aims to establish itself as a key exporter of sustainable energy, it’s leveraging its natural gifts to pave the way for a greener tomorrow.
“The north of Chile in particular is one of the sunniest regions in the world. Much more electricity can be produced here from renewable energy sources than the country itself needs,” affirms Arne Sanne, co-founder and managing director of Eternal Power. This fertile landscape is the proving ground for Eternal Power’s collaborations with local partners, a step towards identifying prime locations for green hydrogen production.
The potential of Chile’s green energy bounty extends beyond economic prospects. Collaborating with local partners, Eternal Power seeks to not only export energy but also uplift local communities. While Chile boasts the capacity to generate 70 times its energy needs, the challenge lies in distributing this energy across the country. The construction of export-focused plants not only accelerates Chile’s sustainable energy transformation but also brings socio-economic benefits to the communities involved.
Robert Meitz, co-founder of Eternal Power, underscores the importance of partnerships for realizing these ambitious plans: “We can only handle projects of this magnitude, involving gigawatt-scale production capacities, through collaboration with strong local partners. Our current efforts involve forging such partnerships on the ground, enabling us to oversee logistics and customer relations across Germany and Europe.” The EU’s investment in Chile adds a layer of security to these endeavors, signaling a pivotal step towards a more sustainable energy landscape.
