On 10 August 2023, the company Walmart started up its first renewable hydrogen plant for industrial use, developed and operated by the French multinational Engie.
This complex, a pioneer in Latin America in terms of its characteristics, is the result of an investment of €14 million and is located in the Quilicura Distribution Centre in the Metropolitan Region.
By replacing the old lead-acid batteries of 200 forklifts with renewable hydrogen energy cells, this innovative project not only improves the productivity of the loading time in the logistics area, but also avoids the emission of 250 tonnes of polluting gases, making a real contribution to the fight against the climate crisis.
The inauguration, headed up by the President and CEO of Walmart Chile, Cristián Barrientos, was attended by former President Michelle Bachelet, the Ministers of Finance, Mario Marcel, and Energy, Diego Pardow, as well as the Corporate Manager of Corporate Affairs of ENGIE Chile, Pablo Villarino, and the President and CEO of Walmart Inc, Doug McMillon.