'Horizonte de Verano' is the name of the project that envisions the construction of a Green Ammonia production plant with a capacity of 1.65 million tons per year and a 5.85 GWp photovoltaic generation plant in the Arequipa region. This marks the first detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA-d) in Peru. The development of a large-scale e-fuels project, implies a leap into a revolutionary industry that could potentially replace oil.
On December 6, 2023, Verano Energy, an international company with over 10 years of experience in the renewable energy sector and more than 50 projects completed, operating in Peru, Chile, Colombia, and Argentina, submitted the detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA-d) for a pioneering gigaproject focused on Hydrogen and Green Ammonia production.
The project, named 'Horizonte de Verano,' will be located in the Arequipa region and is one of the most advanced green e-fuel export initiatives in development in Latin America. It is poised to have a significant impact on reducing global CO2 emissions, preventing the emission of 4,960,000 tons of CO2 annually once fully operational. The project includes Hydrogen and Green Ammonia production with a solar generation capacity of up to 5.85 GWp across its five phases, representing nearly half of the country's current installed electric generation capacity.
The construction involves setting up a gigasolar park to supply energy to an electrolysis plant. This plant will utilize desalinated water processed on-site to produce hydrogen, subsequently converted into ammonia for maritime transport. This enables the use of green energy (e-fuels), contributing to a greener and cleaner planet.
Dylan Rudney, CEO of Verano Energy, views this project as the company's entry into the green hydrogen and ammonia industry. "This project takes us to a larger scale. We are advancing with one of the most advanced green hydrogen gigaprojects in the region and possibly in the world. It signifies a radical shift to end the use of contaminating fuels and fertilizers, delivering a clean and sustainable solution to the planet," he stated.
A Milestone in Green Hydrogen and Ammonia Industry
Entry for environmental assessment is a significant milestone for the renewable energy sector, positioning Verano Energy as a leader in renewable generation in Latin America. This marks the first EIA-d submitted in Peru for a gigaproject focused on hydrogen and green ammonia production in the country.
'Horizonte de Verano' is a pioneering gigaproject in the innovative industry of green hydrogen and ammonia production an emission-free, sustainable alternative with various applications, from agricultural fertilizers to fuels and chemicals. In the future, it could potentially replace oil and its derivatives, contributing to the decarbonization of sectors such as transportation, energy, and petrochemicals.
"Thanks to the region's world-leading solar radiation produced during the day and wind energy purchased from the grid at night, we will transform seawater into a 100% renewable and zero-carbon energy source," explains Erick Rojo, the project director. He emphasizes the strong involvement of the local community in this initiative, which will be located in southern Peru and began development in July 2022.
Project Development
The project involves the development and operation of a green hydrogen and ammonia production plant in Arequipa, Peru, with terrestrial facilities located in the Majes district, Caylloma province. Additionally, a desalination plant, a terminal, and pipelines will be constructed on the coast in the Quilca district, Camaná province.
In its initial phase, 'Horizonte de Verano' will produce over 420,000 tons of green ammonia annually, thanks to its installed solar generation capacity of 1,500 MWp. In its complete phase, it will reach a production of 1.65 million tons of green ammonia annually, with a total installed solar generation capacity of 5,850 MWp. This production will be transported through a 26-kilometer pipeline to the coast, where a maritime storage and distribution facility for green ammonia will be located.
"We have had the support of our environmental consultants, world-class strategic consultants, and the involved municipalities (Majes and Quilca)," explains Rojo, noting that over 100 professionals have been working on various aspects of the project, from engineering to obtaining the environmental baseline. He also announces that around 5,000 direct jobs will be created during the construction phase, with 200 direct jobs during the operational phase, prioritizing local labor.
All necessary permits for project construction are expected to be obtained by the first half of 2025. The first phase is set to commence operations in mid-2027, with the final phase starting in early 2032.
Giga Project: Projects with a power generation capacity exceeding 1 GW.
Green Hydrogen: Hydrogen obtained through water electrolysis using renewable energy, considered the most promising substitute for fossil fuels in hard-to-decarbonize industries.
Green Ammonia: A chemical compound produced based on green hydrogen and nitrogen separated from the air through a 100% renewable process with no CO2 emissions. It serves as a sustainable alternative for hydrogen storage and transportation.
About Verano Energy:
Verano Energy LLC is an international holding composed of five integrated divisions specializing in the development, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of renewable energy generation projects, green hydrogen, and clean fuels. The company, incorporating foreign capital, is headquartered in Chile. Its development began 12 years ago, emerging as a pioneer in the Chilean PMGD solar market (Small Distributed Generation Systems), leading to expansion into other countries and technologies. Today, Verano Energy is a leading company in clean energy and fuels in the region, with a project portfolio nearing 100 in various stages of progress across Colombia, Chile, Argentina, and Peru. This portfolio includes renewable energy initiatives of around 3 GW (PMGD and Utility projects) and two green hydrogen megaprojects totaling approximately 7.3 GW. The portfolio contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by around 3.7 million tons of CO2 annually.
https://verano.energy/es/inicio/
For further information, please contact:
Camila Pradenas
+56 9 9862 3259
camila@parentesisestrategia.cl
Claudia Riquelme
+56 9 9434 2784
claudia@parentesisestrategia.cl
