Overview
- AES Andes said on January 23 it would desist from executing the multi-billion-dollar INNA complex and refocus on other renewable and storage projects.
- The European Southern Observatory welcomed the move, calling the planned location a major threat to dark, clear skies and to facilities such as the Very Large Telescope and the upcoming Extremely Large Telescope.
- ESO analyses projected at least a 35% increase in light pollution over Paranal along with added atmospheric turbulence, dust and micro-vibrations that would degrade observations.
- The proposal spanned about 3,000 hectares in the Atacama to generate solar and wind power and produce green hydrogen and ammonia near world-class observatories.
- Astronomers who campaigned against INNA, joined by political voices including president-elect José Antonio Kast, are now pressing for legislation to protect Chile’s observatory sites.