The best solar radiation on the planet in the Atacama Desert.
We are MAE, a company committed with decarbonization through green hydrogen and green ammonia.
From the Atacama Desert, MAE is building a pioneering project to develop a new decarbonized economy
We contribute to a greener future for Chile and the world
We address one of humanity's most urgent challenges: fighting climate change.
Our company is developing the Volta Project in Mejillones (Region of Antofagasta), one of the most important green hydrogen and green ammonia projects in the country, which main purpose is to support the local and global decarbonization process, and to contribute to achieving the goals of carbon emissions reduction in order to decisively and effectively address climate change.
At MAE, we are developing a world-class project: Volta Project
Efficiency with cutting-edge technology.
Innovative and passionate team.
Our Project
Pioneering project for green hydrogen and green ammonia production in Chile
We are leading the development of one of the most innovative green hydrogen and green ammonia projects in Chile from solar energy, with the aim of supporting decarbonization efforts, both locally and globally. We are committed to producing green hydrogen and green ammonia with the highest international standards.
Our approach not only seeks global competitiveness, but also guarantees the safety and sustainability of the entire process. We plan to supply the Chilean and global market with these cutting-edge products by 2027.
Our Values
We are driven by a deep desire to contribute to the greatest challenge facing humanity: fighting climate change.
Companies cannot postpone these actions, since then it will be too late. At MAE, we are committed to promoting and leading a change to decarbonize Chile and the world.
Our commitment to sustainability is total and in all areas: with the development of green hydrogen and green ammonia from renewable energy, with safety and health as a guiding principle, and respectfully engaging with the community and our environment.
Our Team
We are a visionary team, with experience and technical excellence, capable of carrying out projects of this magnitude and thus making a significant contribution to the planet. Our shared vision is to proactively address environmental challenges and lead the way towards sustainable solutions.
Our team's experience includes diverse fields, from engineering and technology, to environmental management and sustainable business. This specialized knowledge becomes an invaluable asset for the development of green hydrogen and green ammonia projects.
Leading Team
James Calaway
Chairman
MAE Founder and Chairman.
He is a well-known leader in the lithium industry. He was Chairman of Orocobre Ltd. (ASX 200) for eight years, and started the operation of the Oloraz lithium plant in Los Andes, northern Argentina. For the past 6 years, Mr. Calaway has been Chairman of Ioneer Ltd., (ASX 300: INR), a world-class lithium/boron developer in the United States.
He is the founding Chairman of Distributed Power Partners (DPP), a major developer of distributed solar projects located in Chile's Atacama Desert. DPP has developed more than 300MW of solar projects in Chile.
He plays a prominent role in his hometown of Houston, chairing the Center for Houston’s Future and the Houston Independent School District Foundation.
He is B.A. in Economics from the University of Texas, and M.A. in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Oxford.
Steven Webster
Director
Member of the Board of Directors and investor of MAE. Throughout his business career, Mr. Webster has been actively involved in both venture capital firms and investments in energy and other industries. In 1998, he founded Falcon Drilling Company, a drilling contractor listed in the stock exchange since 2005 (NYSE:FLC) and later merged with Reading & Bates and Cliffs Drilling to form R&B Falcon Corporation, one of the largest offshore drilling companies in the world (NYSE: FLC).
He was co-founder and early investor in other energy companies, such as Carrizo Oil & Gas (NASDAQ:CRZO), Basic Energy Services (NYSE:BAS), and Hercules Offshore (NASDAQ:HERO). He served as Chairman of Carrizo and Basic and as director in many other public and private companies in various industries.
He has subsequently founded private equity firms such as Global Energy Partners and Avista Capital Partners. In the latter, more than $11 billion were raised and managed as institutional capital. In 2018, Mr. Webster formed AEC Partners, which invests in upstream energy projects in the U.S. In addition to co-leading AEC, he invests directly, and through his family company, in energy, real estate and other industries.
He currently serves as director of Callon Petroleum (NYSE:CPE and Carrizo's successor) and Oceaneering International (NYSE:OII). Since its founding in 1993, he has been trustee of Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT), which is a leading developer and manager of multifamily housing in the US.
He is a BSIM from Purdue University, graduated with distinction in 1973, and MBA from Harvard Business School, graduated with high distinction in 1975, where he was named a Baker Scholar. In 2009, Mr. Webster was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate in Administration from Purdue.
Scott S. Nyquist
Director
Senior advisor and former senior partner at the consulting firm McKinsey & Company. During his career of more than 35 years, he has advised oil and gas companies, as well as energy/utility companies, in strategic and organizational areas. Additionally, he has advised industrial and private equity companies supporting the energy industry.
He joined McKinsey in 1984 and his key leadership roles included leading McKinsey's European and American Oil and Gas practice, co-heading McKinsey's Global Energy and Materials sector, as well as the Sustainability and Resources practice. He was appointed as member of the McKinsey’s Board of Directors and partner evaluation committees. He was also member of the McKinsey Global Institute’s board.
He is a B.S. in Chemical Engineering Graduated from the University of Michigan (1980), and MBA from Harvard Business School (1984).
He is involved in various community activities in Houston, including serving as vice-president of the Greater Houston Partnership’s Energy Transition Initiative, the Board of Advisors of Rice University’s Jones School of Business, the Energy Advisory Board of Houston University, and member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Symphony.
D. Martin Phillips
Director
Managing partner and co-founder of EnCap Investments L.P. Organized in 1988, EnCap Investments is one of the largest and oldest private equity providers to the energy industry in the United States.
Prior to the creation of EnCap, he was senior vice-president of the Energy Banking Group of NationsBank in Dallas. Additionally, he serves on the board of directors of several EnCap portfolio companies and he has been member of the board of directors of several major energy companies in the United States.
He is member of the board of the Memorial Hermann Foundation, the Small Steps Nutrition Center, the LSU Foundation and the E.J. Ourso College of Business of Louisiana State University. Previously, he served as national Chairman and board member of OneGoal, a national program focused on improving postsecondary education for at-risk students.
Gonzalo Moyano
CEO
He was appointed CEO of MAE in September 2021 to lead the company's efforts to develop, build and operate a green hydrogen and green ammonia project in northern Chile.
Previously, he was the manager of Distributed Power Partners (DPP), a leading developer of distributed solar projects of over 300 MW in northern Chile. Before joining DPP, he served as Director of Business Development for Chile and Argentina at Pattern Energy, a leading solar and wind energy developer and operator.
He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Chilean Association of Renewable Energy and Storage (ACERA).
He is a lawyer from Universidad de Chile, and Master of Laws from the NYU School of Law.
Daniel Labbé
Senior Counsel
He was appointed as senior counsel in June 2022.
He was also senior counsel at Distributed Power Partners Chile (DPP), a leading developer of distributed solar projects of over 300 MW. He was associate of the Law Firm Arteaga Gorziglia, in which he provided external legal advice to Chilean and international clients.
He is a lawyer from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
Italo Olivares
VP of Engineering and Development
He joined as VP of Engineering and Development in October 2022. Throughout his 30-years career in the oil refining industry, he was Project Development Manager in the refining and marketing business line of ENAP (Empresa Nacional de Petróleo). In this company, he also led the areas of engineering, production, optimization and logistics.
He is chemical engineer from Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María and MBA from Universidad Adolfo Ibañez.
Pablo Hojman
VP of Business Development
He joined as VP of Business Development in May 2023.
Previously, he was Commercial and Development Manager at Puerto Ventanas, member of the Sigdo Koppers group, one of the main ports in Chile. There he led the long-term business area with mining and industrial clients and the development of new projects. Previously, he served as Commercial and Development Manager at Puerto Angamos, located in the Mejillones Bay.
Additionally, he worked in the commercial area of Enaex in charge of the commercialization of ammonium nitrate in several world markets, and at SQM, in business development and in the commercial department, in charge of the Southeast Asian market for lithium, iodine and other industrial chemicals.
He is a Civil Industrial Engineer and Master in Engineering, from Pontificia Universidad Católica.
Cristian Lühr
VP de Energía
He joined MAE in February 2024.
He has extensive experience in the energy sector, with more than 15 years at the National Energy Commission, initially starting as engineer in the electricity department. There, he participated in several sizing and cost studies of the distribution and sub-transmission segments and led the tariff-setting process for regulated customers of the national electricity system. Subsequently, he became Head of Electric Bids of the regulation department of the same agency, a key area to promote the insertion and development of renewable energies in the country's energy matrix.
He is a civil industrial electrical engineer from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC), an MSC in Economics from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) in Barcelona, and Energy Management MBA from the Technische Universität Berlin (TUB).