tech

February 10, 2026

Astronomers celebrate cancellation of $10bn Chile project that threatened clearest skies in the world

Astronomers had warned that proximity of INNA facility to telescopes would have irreparably damaged observation

Astronomers celebrate cancellation of $10bn Chile project that threatened clearest skies in the world

TL;DR

  • A $10bn green hydrogen and ammonia production facility (INNA) in Chile's Atacama Desert has been canceled.
  • Astronomers warned the project would negatively impact observation due to light pollution, vibrations, dust, and atmospheric turbulence.
  • The Atacama Desert is considered the best site in the world for ground-based astronomy.
  • The cancellation means the INNA project will no longer affect the Paranal Observatory.
  • The cancellation underscores the urgent need for clear protection measures around professional astronomy sites in Chile.
  • The INNA facility was proposed to be located just 11.6km from the Paranal Observatory, home to the Very Large Telescope (VLT).
  • The Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), the largest and most powerful telescope ever built, is under construction nearby.
  • The project was withdrawn by AES Andes, a subsidiary of US company AES Corporation.

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