Haru Oni, HIF Global’s demonstration plant celebrates the production of the first liters of synthetic gasoline in Chile.
An important partnership
Haru Oni includes Porsche, Enel Green Power, ENAP, Siemens Energy, GASCO and ExxonMobil. Partners and authorities celebrate the production of the first liters of synthetic gasoline from the plant. The site is located in the South of Chile in the region of Punta Arenas.
The Chilean Minister of Energy, Diego Pardow, presided over the ceremony. During the celebrations a Porsche 911 used synthetic fuel, inaugurating a new era for the transport sector. Thus, fuel made from renewable energy, renewable hydrogen and recycled CO2 could replace fossil fuels.
The partners state that the synthetic fuel does not require engine modifications. Thus, they aim to build on the existing infrastructure. Chile’s Minister of Energy, Diego Pardow, states:
“It is critical that the emerging renewable hydrogen industry supports job creation and improves people’s quality of life. In this way, we will provide the certainty of a much more sustainable future. And HIF’s Haru Oni plant has that symbolic value. The one that allows us to envision a future where other forms of energy are possible. We need these moments of optimism at a time when so many forces are holding us back from achieving our climate goals.”
Decarbonized production
Cesar Norton, President and CEO of HIF Global, said:
“The first synthetic fuels at Haru Oni are an important step in the fight against climate change, not only for Chile but for the whole world. A little over a year ago, we inaugurated this dream that is now becoming reality: producing eFuels with the power of the Patagonian wind. It is a concrete solution, here and now, to the main challenge of humanity. We are proud to take this first step here in Punta Arenas because we know that it will be decisive for the future of the next generations.”
Haru Oni will produce renewable hydrogen via a process called electrolysis using renewable wind energy. The facility will also capture CO2 and use a synthesis process to combine CO2 and hydrogen to produce eFuels.
The site will produce carbon-neutral methanol, carbon-neutral gasoline and carbon-neutral liquefied gas. In this first stage, Porsche will use eFuel for its Porsche Experience Centers and the Porsche Mobil 1 Super Cup. Haru Oni will produce 350 tons per year of eMethanol and 130,000 liters of eGasoline.
The Haru Oni facility plans to begin commercial operations in March 2023. HIF Global is the owner and lead developer of the site. In addition, the company has been conducting studies to develop eFuels projects in Magallanes for eight years.
