"The proposed $10bn, 3,000-hectare green hydrogen and ammonia production facility, known as INNA, included a port, transport links to the coast and three solar power plants, and had been under evaluation by Chile's environmental regulator for almost a year. Astronomers had warned repeatedly that its proximity to some of the world's most powerful telescopes would have irreparably damaged observation in the area, which is the best site in the world for ground-based astronomy."
"This cancellation means that the INNA project will no longer have a negative impact on the Paranal Observatory, said Itziar de Gregorio, the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) representative in Chile, where it operates three telescope complexes. However, what this megaproject has brought to the table is the urgent need for clear protection measures around the sites where professional astronomy is carried out in Chile."
"Scientists had warned that the INNA facility would affect readings by raising light pollution, causing tiny vibrations in the earth which would affect instruments, aerialise dust which could settle on the mirrors of its precision telescopes, and increase atmospheric turbulence. They argued that there was no need to place the facility so close to the observatories given the potentially disastrous consequences for astronomy."
The INNA project, a proposed $10bn, 3,000-hectare green hydrogen and ammonia production facility with a port, transport links and three solar plants, was formally withdrawn during Chile's environmental evaluation process. The planned location near world-class observatories in the Atacama Desert raised concerns about increased light pollution, seismic vibrations, dust deposition on telescope mirrors and greater atmospheric turbulence that could degrade astronomical observations. Meetings between Chile's environmental evaluation service and AES Andes preceded the formal withdrawal. The cancellation prevents direct harm to Paranal and other observatories and highlights the urgent need for clear, enforceable protection measures for professional astronomy sites in Chile.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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