Walmart Chile has announced the opening of the first industrial green hydrogen plant in Latin America at its Quilicura distribution center. The project, worth almost US$15 million, was developed in partnership with Engie and is part of Walmart Chile's initiative to transition its logistics fleet to 100% green hydrogen. The plant will initially replace the lead-acid batteries in 200 forklift trucks with hydrogen fuel cell powertrains, resulting in the avoidance of 250 tonnes of toxic waste per year.
While no details of the plant's capacity and energy supply have been disclosed, the launch of this project marks the first step in Walmart Chile's goal to achieve zero emissions by 2040.
The use of green hydrogen has several advantages over traditional energy sources. One of the primary benefits is that it significantly reduces carbon emissions, making it a more environmentally friendly option. Additionally, hydrogen fuel cells are more efficient than traditional combustion engines, as they convert a greater percentage of the energy into usable power. This makes them ideal for use in forklift trucks, which require frequent and quick refueling.
