Astronomers worldwide are breathing a collective sigh of relief after AES Andes, a subsidiary of AES Energy, scrapped plans for a massive green hydrogen industrial complex near the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Cerro Paranal site in Chile. The cancellation of the $10 billion INNA project prevents a significant threat to some of the world’s most advanced astronomical research.
The Threat to Unparalleled Observation Conditions
The proposed plant, announced in 2024, would have been built just miles from the ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the under-construction Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). Despite AES’s claims of minimal impact, ESO’s own assessments revealed the industrial park’s light pollution could have increased levels above Paranal by up to 35%. This would have effectively undone years of technological progress in telescope design.
Why this matters: Modern astronomy increasingly relies on direct observation of faint signals – exoplanets, distant galaxies, and other phenomena previously beyond reach. Light pollution directly interferes with these sensitive measurements. The Atacama Desert in Chile provides the darkest, clearest skies on Earth, making it ideal for cutting-edge research. Losing this advantage would have set back the field for decades.
Key Facilities at Risk
The VLT, consisting of four 8.5-meter telescopes working in unison, and the upcoming ELT, featuring a record-breaking 38-meter mirror, would have both suffered. The ELT, a $1.54 billion investment, is poised to become the largest optical telescope on the planet, revolutionizing our understanding of the universe.
“When the cancellation is confirmed, we’ll be relieved that the INNA industrial complex will not be built near Paranal…the project would pose a major threat to the darkest and clearest skies on Earth.” – ESO Director General Xavier Barcons.
A Precedent Avoided
Beyond the immediate impact on existing facilities, the astronomy community feared that approving INNA would set a dangerous precedent. The Atacama Desert’s unique conditions attract observatories from around the globe, including the U.S.-led Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Allowing industrial development to encroach on these sites would have jeopardized future projects and undermined the region’s status as a global astronomy hub.
AES Andes offered no official explanation for the cancellation, citing a shift toward renewable energy and storage investments in line with its parent company’s strategy. However, the outcome ensures that the Atacama Desert remains a sanctuary for scientific discovery.
The preservation of these dark skies is vital not only for astronomy but also for understanding our place in the cosmos. The decision underscores the importance of balancing industrial progress with the need to protect irreplaceable scientific resources.
