South America’s first hydrogen-powered train is now operational on the Antofagasta-Bolivia railway network in Chile. Rail freight operator FCAB, a division of Chilean conglomerate Antofagasta PLC, received the locomotive from Chinese state-owned manufacturer CRRC Qishuyan in August 2024.
Key Specifications of the Hydrogen Train
The fuel cell locomotive features:
- 1MW total power output
- High-capacity battery system
- Onboard hydrogen storage
- Approximately 30 tonnes lighter than comparable hydrogen locomotives
Initially, the train will operate on a limited route between FCAB’s facilities in Antofagasta city and its port, rather than on the company’s full network that extends to Bolivia and Argentina.
Environmental Impact and Future Plans
“This milestone represents another step in our innovation journey,” said Iván Arriagada, CEO of Antofagasta PLC. “It will allow us to learn about this new fuel, which only emits water vapor and hot air, unlike diesel and other fossil fuels.”
FCAB is currently developing green hydrogen production facilities to fuel the locomotive. The company aims to study potential applications for hydrogen power as the technology matures.
Chile’s Green Hydrogen Progress
Chile has attracted significant interest as a potential green hydrogen exporter due to:
- Exceptional solar resources in the northern regions
- Consistent high wind speeds in southern areas
- Government incentives for renewable energy projects
- European funding commitments
Despite these advantages, large-scale hydrogen production has developed more slowly than anticipated. Current operational green hydrogen projects in Chile remain limited to single-digit-megawatt electrolyzer installations.
Global Hydrogen Train Developments
Hydrogen trains have been tested on passenger routes in Germany and North America with mixed results. Germany’s RB15 line, the world’s first hydrogen-only railway, has faced persistent technical and supply challenges over the past two years. Companies like Wabtec have developed fully battery-electric heavy-haul locomotives as an alternative approach, while other rail operators are exploring hydrogen or its derivatives to replace diesel in freight operations. Australian mining company Fortescue is currently testing locomotives that run on diesel-ammonia fuel blends.
This development represents an important step in South America’s transition to cleaner rail transportation technologies, though significant infrastructure and technological hurdles remain.
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