MAE’s Volta project: a renewable ammonia ecosystem in Mejillones, Chile

In our latest episode of Project Features, we explored MAE’s Volta project, as well as the broader ammonia energy ecosystem evolving in northern Chile. Gonzalo Moyano (CEO, MAE), Pablo Hojman (VP of Business Development, MAE), and Pamela Delgado (Managing Director, MIGA) were joined in conversation by AEA Technology Manager Kevin Rouwenhorst. The recording is available on our website, and you can also download the speaker slides here.

The Chilean Context: high potential, but more action required

In 2022, the Millennium Institute on Green Ammonia as Energy Vector (MIGA) was established by the Chilean Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation. Closely tied to Chilean Universities, MIGA is Chile’s national platform for interdisciplinary research and international collaboration focused on the renewable ammonia value chain. In September 2026, MIGA will host the 5th Symposium on Ammonia Energy & the 3rd LATAM Meeting on Green Ammonia and Power-to-X.

Chile has a population of 19.9 million people, with an economy mainly based on mining (copper) and agriculture. Chile also has some of the best solar and wind resources globally, including excellent solar irradiation in the Atacama desert in the country’s north, and wind capacity factors in excess of 70% in Magallanes, in the country’s south. Chile is currently a net ammonia and nitrogen fertilizer importer, like most countries in Latin America.

Click to expand. Updated National Strategy of Green Hydrogen and Derivatives. From Pamela Delgado, Chile: Opportunities In The Ammonia Market (May 2026).

Chile imports between 300,000 tons and 350,000 tons of ammonia per year, mainly used for explosives grade ammonium nitrate production for the mining industry. Ammonia derivatives are also imported for fertilizer applications: around 400,000 tons per year.

These factors arguably make Chile one of the best locations for renewable hydrogen and ammonia production. In 2026, the Chilean government launched an Updated National Strategy of Green Hydrogen and Derivatives for 2026-2030, building upon the initial 2020 strategy. The three strategic focus areas are:

• Spurring internal demand and decarbonization.
• Developing a new export sector, and positioning Chile in these international markets.
• Governance for sustainable development.

This includes the use of ammonia for energy applications, such as engine fuel in the mining sector, and ammonia as maritime fuel.

The Chilean project pipeline

Many renewable ammonia projects are under development in Chile. In December 2025, there were 15 projects in the north (based on solar), and 15 projects in the south (based on wind). The combined capacity of these projects is more than 10 million tons per year. However, most projects are in early stages of development. Only  a few projects have received environmental permits, namely MAE’s Volta project, Enaex’s and ENGIE’s HyEx project, and Susterra and HIF Global’s H2 Green Mining facility.

In recent years, there has been a loss of momentum in Chilean renewable ammonia development. As discussed in a recent World Bank report, the main risk with renewable hydrogen (and renewable ammonia) projects is offtake. Demand signals combined with firm offtake is required to advance projects, and this is especially true in Chile. A connection between policies and incentives for the agricultural sector and the energy sector may aid to scale a key aspect of this – domestic and local demand for low-carbon ammonia.

Click to expand. Main Drivers Behind the Loss of Momentum in the Development of Chile’s Green Ammonia Industry. From Pamela Delgado, Chile: Opportunities In The Ammonia Market (May 2026).

Due to the intermittent nature of renewables, off-grid projects can struggle with low production capacity factors. This can be improved by battery energy storage, or by connecting to the grid for stabilization. Chile already has an electricity grid with well over half of the electricity produced from solar, hydropower, wind, and bioenergy (particularly impressive, given wind and solar provided zero generation around 2010). However, the Chilean grid has high transmission fees, making it challenging to achieve a competitive levelized cost of ammonia.

The development of renewable energy hubs also requires infrastructure investment. An international example for this is Japan’s Hub Development Support Program.

MAE’s Volta project: establishing momentum in Mejillones

Under development since 2020, MAE’s $2.5 billion Volta Project is a two phase, 600,000 tons-per-year renewable ammonia project located in Mejillones, northern Chile’s industrial hub, adjacent to the Atacama desert. Two phases of around 300,000 tons production capacity each will be constructed, with the first phase to start in 2028, with commercial production targeted for 2030.

The solar PV capacity for the first phase is 600 MW, with an electrolysis capacity for both phases at around 700 MW total. PEM electrolyzers were selected, as these offer greater operational flexibility under variable renewable conditions, and require less land, decreasing the environmental footprint. Over the project development time, the project has increased the battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity to optimize the project efficiency, due to a decrease in battery cost in recent years. A grid connection for night time supply and overall stabilization is also included.

In December 2025, the Volta Project became the first commercial-scale renewable ammonia project to complete Chile’s environmental permitting process, after a 22 months process. This is the result of environmental pre-feasibility studies over a series of different pre-selected sites.

Click to expand. MAE’s Volta Project overview. From Gonzalo Moyano, MAE’s Volta Project: Chile Renewable Ammonia Ecosystem (May 2026).

Working with the community was a key priority for MAE. The project was first disclosed to the community for engagement, prior to any public announcements or press. An outcome of this engagement was the potential for water re-use. Currently, all water in Mejillones is supplied from Antofagasta, produced via water desalination. The first phase of the Volta Project will re-use Mejillone’s wastewater, supplying 85% of the water required for the first phase of the project. The remaining 15% comes from the existing water desalination infrastructure.

The analysis with local water utility Aguas Antofagasta (ADASA) began in 2021. A joint engineering contract for a wastewater treatment plant was signed in 2022, with advanced engineering completed by late 2023. The wastewater treatment plant is expected to commence operations in 2029.

Click to expand. Mejillones as a world class renewable ammonia hub. From Gonzalo Moyano, MAE’s Volta Project: Chile Renewable Ammonia Ecosystem (May 2026).

Since the beginning of the project, MAE opted for a pragmatic approach, by making the most of existing infrastructure. The Antofagasta region is an important region for copper and other minerals, supplying the world economy. Mejillones supports mining operations as an existing industrial hub with energy infrastructure, water supply, roads, and port infrastructure. Enaex’s ammonia import terminal is also located in Mejillones, with the ammonia converted to ammonium nitrate for explosives used in the mining industry.

The export of copper and other minerals with vessels using ammonia as a fuel presents another opportunity for Mejillones.

Current coal-fired power plants are being decommissioned, which also provides an opportunity for retraining jobs linked to fossil energy to renewable ammonia.