Consorcio Austral submits plans for $4.7-B green ammonia project to Chile's EIAS
Chilean developer Consorcio Austral has submitted its $4.7-billion Acuario green ammonia project to Chile’s Environmental Impact Assessment System, marking a significant step for the country’s hydrogen sector. Planned for Bahía Gregorio in the Magallanes region, the project would produce around 4,100 tons of green ammonia per day for export over a 46-year operating life. Hydrogen would be generated through water electrolysis powered by renewable electricity and combined with nitrogen using the Haber-Bosch process.
The facility would be supported by a 1.73 GW wind farm with 173 turbines, underground transmission lines and a battery energy storage system to ensure reliable power. Construction is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2029 and finish by the second quarter of 2033, creating an average of 1,595 construction jobs, peaking at 3,000, while operations would employ an average of 411 people. The environmental filing does not constitute project approval, financing, export agreements or a final investment decision.
Acuario is the largest non-mining project submitted for environmental review in Chile in 2026 and signals continued interest in large-scale green hydrogen developments despite weaker global demand, higher financing costs and uncertain ammonia prices. The project follows the cancellation of AES Andes’ $10 billion INNA green hydrogen and ammonia project earlier this year, highlighting both the challenges and resilience of Chile’s hydrogen pipeline. Acuario’s ultimate success will depend on securing environmental approval, financing, buyers, infrastructure and competitive production costs.
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