South America's First Hydrogen Locomotive, Powered by Chinese Fuel Cell, Set to Begin Service

Ferrocarril Antofagasta Bolivia (FCAB), a Luksic group company, introduced the first hydrogen-powered locomotive in South America, marking a significant advancement in regional sustainable transportation.

South American rail transport, the Luksic Group, through its subsidiary Ferrocarril Antofagasta Bolivia (FCAB), has successfully launched the first hydrogen-powered locomotive in Chile. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to lead the energy transition and contribute to decarbonization efforts in line with global climate change mitigation goals.

The locomotive, developed by CRRC Qishuyan Company, is tailor-made for the operational routes of FCAB. It embodies principles of standardization, modularization, serialization, and generalization to ensure adaptability and operational efficiency on the diverse and challenging terrains of FCAB's routes.

Iván Arriagada, President of Antofagasta PLC, emphasized the innovative step, stating, "This milestone is another step on a path of innovation that is part of the hallmark of Antofagasta Minerals and FCAB. It will allow us to learn about this new fuel, which only emits water vapor and hot air, unlike fossil fuels such as diesel." The introduction of hydrogen fuel technology is seen not only as a leap towards reducing emissions but also as a foundation for future technological adaptations as the technology matures.

David Fernández, FCAB's general manager, highlighted the company’s commitment to exploring all available technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This commitment is part of FCAB’s broader strategy to engage with the community of Antofagasta and its clients in combating climate change.

The Minister of Economy, Nicolás Grau, and Dafne Pino Riffo, Seremi of Energy, both praised FCAB’s initiative. Riffo noted, “We are extremely happy with the presentation of the Green Hydrogen Locomotive, since this project not only introduces a unique technology in South America but also reaffirms the industry's commitment to a cleaner future, aligned with our country's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050."

The locomotive boasts a total output of 1,000 kilowatts and features a large-capacity battery and a 35 MPa onboard hydrogen storage system. Its lightweight design, which reduces weight by about 30 tons compared to current hydrogen locomotives, enhances its efficiency and suitability for long-haul routes.

As part of the project, FCAB has secured a supply of green hydrogen for 2024 and is finalizing the necessary facilities for hydrogen storage and fueling. Staff are currently being trained in the maintenance and operation of this new technology, ensuring that FCAB's workforce is well-prepared for this shift in fuel technology.