Global Gateway and Flagship Projects in Chile

The Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region is a promising ground for deploying the Global Gateway strategy. Although the region has predominantly upper-middle incomes, it faces limited public spending and challenges such as inequality and informality. Therefore, private investment is the key driver to boost just, green, and digital transitions. The EU is a leading investor in LAC, accounting for approximately 30% of foreign direct investment flows. The 2023 EU-CELAC Summit consolidated the Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA), which focuses on a limited number of politically sound initiatives. This Agenda aligns with the LAC countries' goal of transforming their raw materials locally, increasing value-added, and creating jobs. EU projects are well-positioned to meet these public policy objectives as they are based on high technologies and standards in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters. A key success factor for the GGIA is the ability to articulate the full Team Europe offer, generating a "unique EU offer" backed by all Member States. In the 2026 Global Gateway Flagship Initiatives list, the Council has endorsed 256 initiatives, four of which are key for Chile.

1. Team Europe Initiative for Renewable Hydrogen Development (H2R TEI)

The Team Europe Initiative (TEI) for the development of Renewable Hydrogen (H2R) in Chile is a joint effort of the EU and its Member States to enhance cooperation within the Global Gateway framework. The goal is to boost investment opportunities in the field of green hydrogen in Chile. This initiative covers three areas of action: Technical and Technological Cooperation (through technical assistance programs for the generation of studies, policies, and programs), Financial Cooperation (financing of projects and H2R production or application technology), and Business Cooperation (actions promoting commercial, technological, and logistical collaboration). The H2R TEI seeks to support the decarbonization of the Chilean economy and meet the European demand for renewable hydrogen imports. The financial component includes a blending operation with a €16.5 million grant from the EU's Latin America and the Caribbean Investment Facility (LACIF) and €200 million in loans (EIB and KfW, €100 million each). A concrete example of technological cooperation is the Inventory of Wetlands and Peatlands in the Magallanes Region, presented in June 2025, which combines Copernicus satellite imagery with in-situ data to facilitate renewable hydrogen planning while protecting strategic ecosystems.

More information: 

TEI Onepager ES.pdf

TEI Onepager EN.pdf

Webpage: https://teameuroperh2.com/ 

2. Copernicus Program: LAC Chile Regional Centre

Copernicus, the EU's Earth Observation satellite program, is expanding its reach in LAC through two regional centers: Chile and Panama. The objective is to improve regional access to data, raise awareness, promote knowledge transfer, and foster innovation. The Copernicus LAC Chile Centre is implemented by the Center for Mathematical Modeling of the University of Chile and focuses on terrestrial and marine monitoring services, leveraging existing digital infrastructure such as the BELLA Cable and the NHLPC to facilitate high-speed data exchange with Europe. Its goal is to establish a robust center for the storage, processing, and distribution of Copernicus data for the entire region. Future work will focus on the development and advancement of three key initiatives: the creation of a Copernicus-based business incubator with Open Beauchef, the development of new monitoring services (seaweed/sargassum, biodiversity, and methane), and the development of the "Mirador Copernicus" interactive center with the Museo Interactivo Mirador (MIM) to bring data closer to the general public.

3. Critical Raw Materials (CRM): EU-Chile Strategic Partnership

Chile, as a key supplier of copper, lithium, and rare earths, plays a crucial role in the clean energy transition. The EU-Chile Strategic Partnership was formalized with the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains, establishing a roadmap. The collaboration is based on a 360° approach, covering key areas such as R&D and Innovation (focusing on processing technologies and integration with Horizon Europe), Business Connections (such as the attendance of a Chilean delegation to the EIT Raw Materials Summit in May 2025), Infrastructure (joint efforts in roads, ports, and energy), ESG and Due Diligence (commitment to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative - EITI), and Skills Development (TVET) for copper, lithium, and rare earths. Regarding industrial and investment projects, discussions are ongoing with the European Investment Bank (EIB) on the modernization of the copper sector, and a Team Europe initiative for a green copper smelter is being promoted. Additionally, promising Chilean rare earth projects could obtain "strategic" designation under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRM Act), securing new supply chain opportunities for the EU.

4. Chile-Peru Electricity Interconnection

There is great potential for investment in energy transmission, distribution, and storage operations, given that the current power grid is insufficient to guarantee the full use of renewable energy generated in northern Chile. The initiative seeks to promote energy integration in the Andean region, with a flagship project: an electricity interconnection with Peru. This project is presented as a solution for the financial viability of renewable energy companies in northern Chile and the improvement of regional integration. It is currently being accompanied by technical support to facilitate regulatory harmonization.