Astronomers Raise Alarm Over Industrial Project Near Chilean Observatory

The scientific community is sounding the alarm over a proposed industrial mega-project by AES Andes, a subsidiary of the American AES Corporation, located just seven miles from the Cerro Paranal Observatory in Chile's Atacama Desert. The plan involves a 3,000-hectare electric power plant aimed at producing ammonia and green hydrogen using wind and photovoltaic sources, with operations scheduled to begin in 2032, according to astronomer María Teresa Ruiz, who highlighted the potential destruction of the area's dark skies in a letter to El Mercurio.

The Atacama Desert is renowned for its exceptionally dark and clear skies, essential for astronomical observations. The European Southern Observatory (ESO), which has partnered with Chilean authorities since 1963, warns that the project threatens to significantly increase sky brightness, potentially downgrading the area’s observational quality from “excellent dark sky” to “rural sky.” ESO Director General Xavier Barcons emphasized the substantial risks, including dust emissions and light pollution, which could severely impact scientific work.

Chilean government officials have convened a roundtable to explore ways to balance energy development with astronomical preservation, while AES Andes claims it is open to collaboration during the environmental review process.