Latin America and the Caribbean is emerging as a strategic region for the development of green hydrogen, thanks to its extraordinary capacity to generate renewable energy at low cost. Countries such as Chile, Brazil and Colombia are taking the first steps to become competitive producers, with flagship projects that could transform their energy matrix and create new export opportunities. However, the road is full of obstacles that could limit this potential.
Chile stands out as a regional pioneer with its HIF Global project in Magallanes, which produces and exports e-methanol to Europe, taking advantage of the strong Patagonian winds. Brazil, meanwhile, is exploring blue hydrogen in the Pecém Complex, combining its fossil resources with carbon capture technologies. Despite these advances, the region faces considerable challenges, with Latin America receiving just 2% of global investments in green hydrogen, an alarmingly low figure considering its potential. Port infrastructure is another bottleneck: a recent study reveals that only three ports in the entire region are preparing to handle this new fuel.
