Statement
Public
The Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) expresses its deep concern about the threat posed by the INNA industrial megaproject, proposed by AES Andes, to the skies of the Antofagasta region and, in particular, to the operations of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Paranal and the future giant telescope (ELT) in Cerro Armazones.
This situation puts at risk not only the development of astronomy in Chile and the world, but also the country's international leadership and its credibility in this discipline.
The INNA megaproject, covering more than 3,000 hectares and including facilities for the production of hydrogen and green ammonia, as well as wind and solar farms, would be located at a critical distance of between 5 and 11 kilometers from the observatory. This proximity could generate significant risks, such as light pollution, which would affect the precision and sensitivity of astronomical instruments; atmospheric turbulence generated by wind turbines, which would degrade the quality of scientific observations; and dust emissions, which would damage the mirrors and sensitive equipment of the telescopes.
Since its inauguration in 1999, the Paranal Observatory has been the protagonist of important discoveries, such as the first image of an exoplanet, the study of protoplanetary disks, distant galaxies, stellar censuses and the investigation of the orbits of stars around the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, which was key to the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2020.
On the other hand, the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which is currently under construction, It represents the largest optical telescope in the history of humankind and the largest investment ever made in ground-based optical astronomy.. This project promises to radically transform our understanding of the cosmos and reaffirm Chile's position as a global epicenter of astronomical research. These facilities depend on exceptionally dark and stable skies, conditions that could be severely compromised by the INNA megaproject.
As CRUCH universities We understand the importance of promoting projects that contribute to the energy transition and sustainable development. However, these must be compatible with the preservation of our country's scientific and natural heritage. It is clear that there is no mitigation measure capable of guaranteeing the protection of the skies under current conditions, therefore It is imperative to evaluate relocating the project to a more distant area, taking advantage of Chile's extensive territorial resources.
Protecting the skies of the Atacama Desert is not only a commitment to science, but also to future generations, for whom we must preserve this unique heritage.
Therefore, the CRUCH reaffirms its commitment to sustainable and responsible development, recognizing science as an engine of progress and astronomy as a cultural and identity element of our nation.
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