- After three years of studies and early community engagement, MAE, through Volta Hydrogen SpA, has submitted the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for its Volta project, positioned as one of the most advanced in the country and the region. It includes the construction of a green ammonia production plant with an approximate capacity of 600,000 tons per year, divided into two stages of around 300,000 tons per year each, with the first shipments of green ammonia expected by late 2027.
- For energy supply, a 600 MW photovoltaic park is considered, while water will be sourced from existing desalination plants. Additionally, the project aims to utilize Mejillones' wastewater.
- The total investment is estimated at US$2.5 billion, generating around 1,700 jobs during construction and approximately 500 direct and indirect jobs during operation.
February 24, 2024- After three years of technical and environmental studies, as well as extensive early community engagement, MAE has entered the Environmental Impact Assessment system with the EIA for its Volta project, located in the Antofagasta Region, Mejillones commune. Volta emerges as a pioneering project in the green hydrogen and ammonia industry in Chile and the region.
The project includes the construction of a green hydrogen plant as an intermediate input for green ammonia production with an approximate capacity of 600,000 tons per year, divided into two stages, estimating production of 300,000 tons per year each. The first shipments of green ammonia are expected in 2027, targeting both local and international markets.
The green ammonia plant, at full capacity, is projected to contribute to the reduction of over 1 million tons per year of CO2 emissions, equivalent to the pollution of over 200,000 internal combustion vehicles in a year.
Additionally, the Volta project contemplates the construction of a photovoltaic park (600 MW) for renewable energy supply. Water will come from existing environmentally approved desalination plants. Additionally, Mejillones' wastewater will be utilized, which will contribute to cleaning up its bay.
The project development involves an investment of over US$2.5 billion, with an estimated generation of 1,700 jobs during the construction phase and approximately 500 direct and indirect jobs during operation.
"The Volta project has set high technical and environmental standards for its development, incorporating resource efficiency as a guiding criterion for its design. Likewise, we have sought to optimize the use of existing infrastructure, aiming to incorporate elements of circular economy for water supply. Additionally, the Volta project has implemented an early community engagement strategy, including a process of early citizen participation in the environmental assessment of the project. At MAE, we aim to create opportunities for participation and ongoing communication with the community and local authorities to accompany the various stages of project development and operation," explains Gonzalo Moyano, CEO of MAE.
The executive emphasizes that MAE's Volta project is key to the development of the green hydrogen and ammonia industry in Chile, and it is the basis for positioning Mejillones as one of the main production centers in the country and the region. "The submission of this EIA is an important milestone for making this industry a reality for the country and supporting the transition process to a low-carbon economy in Mejillones, the Antofagasta Region, and the country," says Moyano.
