Chile's HyEx green H2, ammonia project gets enviro approval

Chile-based utility group Engie Latam SA and ammonium nitrate producer and industrial explosives supplier Enaex SA have received environmental approval to start their complementary projects involving green hydrogen production and green ammonia synthesis in the Chilean region of Antofagasta.

As reported last summer, Engie Latam proposed to build an array of electrolysers with a total capacity of around 26 MW to produce green hydrogen for its half of the HyEx project it developed with Enaex. Enaex, for its part, proposed to build a green ammonia plant with a view to produce 18,000 tonnes annually using Engie’s green hydrogen.

According to Chile’s database that tracks environmental evaluation procedures, both projects secured approval on Wednesday.

The HyEx project partners plan to build the facilities close to each near the city of Tocopilla and connect them via a hydrogen pipeline. Engie operates a thermal power plant in Tocopilla, which will supply demineralised water for the green hydrogen production process, and the area itself boasts significant solar resources.

Engie’s part of the project also includes the construction of a hydrogen compression system and a storage station. The utility company expects to invest some USD 47 million (EUR 44.8m) in its share of the HyEx development.

Enaex plans to invest USD 49 million for the construction of an air separation plant and the ammonia production facility. Its liquid ammonia would be shipped by trucks to the Enaex plant in the city of Mejillones, where it will be used to produce ammonium nitrate.

According to their respective environmental impact statements, construction of the facilities is due to start in 2024.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.954)

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