A landmark green hydrogen project led by French energy giant TotalEnergies has officially entered Chile’s Environmental Impact Assessment System (SEIA), marking a pivotal moment for the country’s renewable energy future. With a staggering projected investment of US$20 billion, the initiative in the Magallanes region stands as the largest hydrogen project—and the most significant investment ever—to undergo environmental review in Chilean history.
Despite some scheduling adjustments due to regional SEIA criteria, the environmental evaluation process is set to begin on Friday, April 25, or by Monday, April 28 at the latest.
“This project is expected to generate up to 10,000 jobs during its six-year construction phase, and approximately 1,000 permanent positions during its 25-year operational period,” said Antoine Liane, General Manager of TotalEnergies H2 Chile, in a February interview with La Segunda.
To date, TotalEnergies has invested US$20 million into engineering and environmental assessments, with an additional US$15 million earmarked for securing the necessary environmental qualification (RCA) and sectoral permits.
This groundbreaking project not only represents a major step forward for Chile’s energy diversification and sustainability goals but also positions the country as a key player in the global green hydrogen economy. Green hydrogen, produced using renewable electricity, is seen as a crucial component in reducing carbon emissions from hard-to-decarbonize sectors such as heavy industry and transportation.
TotalEnergies, the parent company spearheading this venture, is a global powerhouse with annual revenues surpassing US$200 billion. The company is active in energy exploration, oil and gas, refining, and chemicals, and has been increasingly investing in renewable energy solutions including solar, wind, and now green hydrogen.
Green hydrogen is a promising clean energy source, offering sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels with potential for decarbonizing multiple industries globally. This project could serve as a transformative model for large-scale clean energy development in Latin America and beyond.
