Advancing Green Hydrogen Investment in Chile: A Financial Model for Progress
Key Ideas
  • Chile is progressing in the development of a finance model, including contracts for difference, to attract green hydrogen investment and address the challenge of securing offtakers and project financing.
  • The initiative, led by GIZ Chile and co-financed by the EU and the German federal ministry, aims to create a stable revenue mechanism to incentivize hydrogen investment and derisk projects.
  • The proposal involves a public-private working group in Chile, integrating government, regulator, pension funds, insurance, and hydrogen sector representatives, to advance the adoption of a tailored financial model for the country.
  • Efforts are also focused on building a hydrogen economy in Chile, starting with decarbonizing local industries using green hydrogen, with regions like Biobío and Antofagasta identified as key areas for hydrogen ecosystem deployment.
In Chile, work is underway to establish a finance model to boost green hydrogen investment through the introduction of contracts for difference (CDF). The initiative, named Team Europe for the Development of Renewable Hydrogen in Chile, is a collaborative effort involving GIZ Chile, the EU, and the German federal ministry. The goal is to bridge the gap between high global hydrogen prices and regional market prices, attracting traditional and non-traditional investors. This project addresses the challenge of securing offtakers and project financing for over 74 green hydrogen projects in Chile. The proposed CDF mechanism aims to stabilize revenue and incentivize investment in green hydrogen projects. It involves an auction process where producers submit their proposed strike prices, attracting investments from local pension funds and family offices. The financial model is expected to follow a profitable trajectory over time, aligning with the investment timeframe. The public-private working group in Chile, comprising various stakeholders from the government, regulator, and hydrogen sector, is analyzing European models to tailor a suitable financial framework for Chile. The focus is on creating internal demand, starting from decarbonizing local industries and eventually expanding to export markets. The initiative also aims to build a hydrogen economy, with regions like Biobío and Antofagasta identified as strategic locations for hydrogen ecosystem development. The delegation's learnings from Europe emphasize the importance of infrastructure sharing and partnerships to reduce costs. By developing a local market, Chile can kickstart its hydrogen economy and pave the way for future export opportunities. While initial costs may be higher, achieving economies of scale is projected to drive down costs in the long run. Projects in the Magallanes region are oriented towards e-fuels and green ammonia export, leveraging the region's industrial base. Overall, the collaboration between European entities and Chilean stakeholders is driving progress towards establishing a sustainable green hydrogen investment framework in Chile.
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