Atacama Desert Saved: $10 Billion Project Cancelled, Preserving the World’s Clearest Skies

The scientific community is celebrating the cancellation of a massive project that threatened to disrupt the world’s clearest skies in Chile’s Atacama Desert. The proposed $10 billion facility, known as INNA, was set to span 3,000 hectares and produce green hydrogen and ammonia.

A Threat to the Stars

Santiago: Astronomers are rejoicing after a proposed project that could have deprived people of the pristine skies over the Atacama Desert has been officially cancelled. One of the driest places on Earth, the Atacama offers nearly cloudless skies for most of the year, making it a prime destination for stargazing and astronomical research.

Had the project gone ahead, it could have caused irreversible damage to observations at the Paranal Observatory, operated by the European Southern Observatory (ESO). Scientists had repeatedly warned that the facility would create light pollution, obstructing the view of stars and other celestial bodies. Its cancellation is being hailed as a major victory for the global astronomy community.

Details of the Proposed Project

The ambitious $10 billion INNA project included a port, coastal transport links, and three solar power plants. Chile’s environmental authorities had been reviewing the proposal for nearly a year. Astronomers emphasized that situating such a massive industrial facility near some of the world’s most powerful telescopes would have been highly detrimental to ground-based astronomy in the region.

ESO Statement

“It’s a relief that the project will no longer affect the Paranal Observatory, where we operate three telescope complexes,” said Itziar de Gregorio, an ESO representative in Chile, in an interview with The Guardian. She added, “The cancellation underscores the urgent need for protective measures around areas used for professional astronomy. But this does not mean the effort to safeguard our skies is over.”

Official Confirmation from Chile

Chile’s Environmental Evaluation Service confirmed that following a meeting with AES Andes—the company behind the project—the proposal has been officially withdrawn. Scientists had warned that the INNA facility would interfere with light pollution readings, posing risks to astronomy. They argued that there was no need to place such a facility so close to the observatory.

Company Response

AES Andes, affiliated with the U.S.-based AES Corporation and active in coal, gas, hydroelectric, wind, and solar projects across Chile, Colombia, and Argentina, issued a statement: “After extensive review, we have decided to halt the INNA project.” Notably, Reinhard Genzel, a 2020 Nobel laureate, had previously written an open letter urging the Chilean government to cancel the project.

The decision is being celebrated as a significant win for astronomers and environmentalists alike, ensuring that the Atacama Desert retains its status as home to some of the clearest skies on the planet.