Sep 01 | 2022
Hydrogen Opportunities in South America
By Simon West
Opportunities in South America lie in hydrogen, with the scaling up of electrolyzers and other heavy components requiring significant breakbulk support, and carbon capture, a form of emissions reduction technology increasingly prevalent in power plants and industrial facilities.These so-called energy transition sectors will see almost US$71 billion in capex by the end of the decade, according to EIC data, with 62 projects primed to start up in the coming years.
Brazilian chemical maker Unigel, for example, in July revealed plans to install an integrated green hydrogen and green ammonia plant at the Camacari industrial complex in the northeastern state of Bahia with an investment of US$120 million.
The plant, with expected start-up at the end of 2023, would be the largest of its kind in the world, Unigel said.
“South America is today one of the leading regions in terms of capex announcement for green hydrogen projects, with Brazil and Chile concentrating the highest number of projects as well as investment,” Energy Industries Council’s Pietro Ferreira said.
“Players such as Enegix, Fortescue, MMEX Resources, AES, Iberdrola, Qair and various others have already signaled plans to invest in pilot projects as well as large-scale green hydrogen developments. On top of that, countries all over the region are creating hydrogen roadmaps and drafting improvements to legislation in order to unlock investment.”
Colombia-based Simon West is senior reporter for Breakbulk.
Image credit: FOX Brasil
