Astronomy Wins: Chile Project Cancelled to Protect Dark Skies

When science and industry collide, sometimes the stars win.

AES Andes has cancelled its massive Inna green hydrogen project in Chile's Atacama Desert after the European Southern Observatory warned it could damage some of Earth's most pristine dark skies. The complex would have sat just kilometers from world-class telescopes, including the Very Large Telescope and the planned Extremely Large Telescope.

The project was ambitious. It combined wind and solar generation, battery storage, electrolyzers, desalination infrastructure, and pipelines to produce green hydrogen for export and domestic use. In 2024, AES even partnered with Samsung E&A to evaluate the development.

But size became the problem. The European Southern Observatory noted the complex would have been as large as the city of Valparaíso, creating light pollution and disruption in a region that hosts some of the world's most advanced astronomical facilities.

The Atacama Desert offers some of the clearest, darkest skies on the planet. Scientists from around the world rely on these conditions to study distant galaxies, hunt for exoplanets, and unlock cosmic mysteries. The Southern Array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory also calls this region home.

AES said it will now focus on expanding its renewable energy and storage portfolio instead. The company emphasized that stopping this project doesn't diminish Chile's potential as a green hydrogen leader.

The Bright Side

This decision shows that economic development and scientific preservation don't have to be enemies. They just need to find the right balance.

Chile still has vast renewable energy potential and land availability for green hydrogen projects. The country recently backed other hydrogen initiatives with $10 million in funding, and a separate $2.5 billion green hydrogen plant received environmental approval earlier this month. Rental cars in Chile are even starting to use green hydrogen-based e-fuel.

The Atacama offers more than enough space for both industries to thrive. Developers can site projects away from sensitive astronomical zones while still taking advantage of the region's incredible solar and wind resources.

This compromise protects humanity's window to the universe while keeping Chile on track to become a clean energy exporter. Sometimes the best progress means knowing where not to build.

The stars will keep shining, and so will Chile's green energy future.