Delegate Minister of Foreign Trade, Attractiveness, and French Abroad, Olivier Becht, held a constructive bilateral meeting with Chilean Energy Minister Diego Pardow during his visit to Chile. The core agenda of the discussion revolved around mutual challenges faced during the energy transition phase and the active participation of French firms in the burgeoning green hydrogen sector.
A joint declaration was signed by both ministers at the conclusion of the meeting, thereby instituting a bilateral working group dedicated to the development of low-carbon hydrogen. This collaboration was originally proposed by Presidents Emmanuel Macron of France and Gabriel Boric of Chile during their engagement at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2022. The working group aims to further the objectives outlined in the previous joint declaration on green hydrogen, inked by both countries on June 30, 2021.
Under the newly signed agreements, the French government expressed its readiness to contribute an international technical expert specialized in low-carbon hydrogen and its transportation applications, in order to assist the Chilean Ministry of Energy. The appointed expert will be a part of the bilateral working group, which is projected to kick-off its activities in the latter half of 2023.
Expressing his appreciation to the Chilean government for their cooperation on green hydrogen and decarbonization, Minister Olivier Becht underscored that the establishment of the working group bolsters the technical and political alliance between France and Chile, aligning with their mutual goals in environmental conservation and the promotion of decarbonized energy sources.
Minister Diego Pardow welcomed the joint declaration, emphasizing the critical role of green hydrogen in Chile’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, a mandate established by their Framework Law on Climate Change. Recognizing France as a crucial partner in accomplishing this goal, Pardow noted that the Chilean government is crafting an Action Plan to grasp the needs of businesses and communities for the harmonious growth of the green hydrogen sector within the country.
Several French energy companies currently operational in Chile, such as Engie, EDF, and Total, are earnestly working towards the decarbonization of their operations, with ambitious projects in the pipeline for green hydrogen production. Total EREN has notably invested a substantial $20 billion in the Magallanes region. Simultaneously, projects led by Air Liquide and Engie in Antofagasta are backed by Corfo, the economic development agency of Chile.
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