The darkest, clearest skies anywhere in the world could suffer “irreparable damage” by a proposed industrial megaproject. That is the warning from the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in response to plans by AES Andes, a subsidiary of the US power company AES Corporation, to develop a green hydrogen project just a few kilometres from ESO’s flagship Paranal Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert.
The Atacama Desert is considered one of the most important astronomical research sites in the world due to its stable atmosphere and lack of light pollution. Sitting 2635 m above sea level, on Cerro Paranal, the Paranal Observatory is home to key astronomical instruments including the Very Large Telescope. The Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) – the largest visible and infrared light telescope in the world – is also being constructed at the observatory on Cerro Armazones with first light expected in 2028.
AES Chile submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment in Chile for an industrial-scale green hydrogen project at the end of December. The complex is expected to cover more than 3000 hectares – similar in size to 1200 football pitches. According to AES, the project is in the early stages of development, but could include green hydrogen and ammonia production plants, solar and wind farms as well as battery storage facilities.
ESO is calling for the development to be relocated to preserve “one of Earth’s last truly pristine dark skies” and “safeguard the future” of astronomy. “The proximity of the AES Andes industrial megaproject to Paranal poses a critical risk to the most pristine night skies on the planet,” says ESO director general Xavier Barcons. “Dust emissions during construction, increased atmospheric turbulence, and especially light pollution will irreparably impact the capabilities for astronomical observation.”
In a statement sent to Physics World, an AES spokesperson says they “understand there are concerns raised by ESO regarding the development of renewable energy projects in the area”. The spokesperson adds that the project would be in an area “designated for renewable energy development”. They also claim that the company is “dedicated to complying with all regulatory guidelines and rules” and “supporting local economic development while maintaining the highest environmental and safety standards”.
According to the statement, the proposal “incorporates the highest standards in lighting” to comply with Chilean regulatory requirements designed “to prevent light pollution, and protect the astronomical quality of the night skies”.
Yet Romano Corradi, director of the Gran Telescopio Canarias, which is located at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, La Palma, Spain, noted that it is “obvious” that the light pollution from such a large complex will negatively affect observations. “There are not many places left in the world with the dark and other climatic conditions necessary to do cutting-edge science in the field of observational astrophysics,” adds Corradi. “Light pollution is a global effect and it is therefore essential to protect sites as important as Paranal.”
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