Spanish infrastructure and renewable energy group ACCIONA has started testing a hydrogen-powered fuel cell generator at a large construction site linked to one of the world’s biggest underground copper operations — the El Teniente mine in Chile.
The pilot unit, installed at works expanding the nearby Carén reservoir for state-owned Codelco, marks one of Chile’s earliest real-world deployments of this zero-emission power technology in the mining sector. Unlike conventional diesel gensets typically used on off-grid projects, this system runs on hydrogen and emits only heat and water, offering a pathway to significantly cut fossil fuel use.
Built by French hydrogen specialist EODev and supplied locally through distributor KH2, the generator’s fuel cell effectively replaces diesel for on-site electricity generation. ACCIONA estimates that, on a quarterly basis, the unit will offset more than 5,000 litres of diesel consumption and prevent roughly 13.6 tonnes of CO₂ emissions — supporting broader efforts to decarbonise heavy-duty industrial operations.
This pilot aligns with Chile’s expanding interest in hydrogen solutions across energy-intensive sectors such as mining, where companies are exploring clean power options to meet emission reduction targets.
