EU and Chile launch new cooperation actions on renewable hydrogen

The European Union (EU) and the Government of Chile have launched two new cooperation actions on renewable hydrogen to contribute to the implementation of the “Team Europe Initiative for the Development of Renewable Hydrogen in Chile”.

The initiative is a joint effort of the EU and its Member States to promote cooperation with Chile in the development of its renewable hydrogen economy, and an integral part of the EU’s investment and connectivity strategy ‘Global Gateway’.

The two cooperation actions, which include a technical assistance project that will contribute to the development of the renewable hydrogen sector in Chile and the creation of a fund that will directly finance green hydrogen production projects, were launched on 14 June at the official ceremony presided by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, together with the President of the Republic of Chile, Gabriel Boric.

The first part of the ceremony included the launching of the “Team Europe Project for the Development of Renewable Hydrogen in Chile”, a technical assistance program that will strengthen the conditions for the promotion of the renewable and sustainable hydrogen economy in Chile.

As explained, this project seeks to ensure an enabling environment for the renewable hydrogen economy; capacity building and knowledge transfer; technology development; generation of impact assessments on infrastructure and sustainability; as well as the development of projects and business cooperation and financing, all relevant measures for the promotion of this industry in the country with a sustainable perspective.

It has a budget of €4 million from the European Union, to be supplemented by another €4 million from the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK).

The second announced action is “Team Europe Renewable Hydrogen Fund in Chile”, a joint initiative of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the German Development Bank (KfW), led by the Delegation of the European Union to Chile, which will channel funding for the development of projects for the production and use of renewable hydrogen.

This Fund is a project financing mechanism that combines a €6.5 million grant from the European Union’s Latin America and Caribbean Investment Facility (EU LACIF) and €200 million in loans from the European Investment Bank and KfW (each contributing €100 million).

The fund will be managed by CORFO and will focus on the development of concrete renewable hydrogen production and application projects in Chile. It is expected to mobilize more private and public financing for renewable hydrogen projects.

During the official ceremony, von der Leyen explained that “this is one of the most important projects that we can undertake together. This Renewable Hydrogen Fund, here in Chile, will support the development of this strategic industry. It will create good jobs in the country, and boost its renewable hydrogen exports to the world and, of course, also to its partners, such as the European Union”.

The President of Chile emphasised his satisfaction that “the EU recognises Chile’s leadership and supports the country’s plan to become the most competitive green hydrogen producer on the planet by 2030”.  He also valued the EU’s interest in implementing concrete projects that will build local capacity and knowledge for the future of Chile and the world.

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Taking place on 28 and 29 November at the RAI Convention Centre in Amsterdam, the OEEC 2023 gathers around 400 exhibitors, showcasing their experience and expertise in the offshore wind, oil and gas, marine energy, hydrogen sector and more.

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