At the 5th Hydrogen Congress for Latin America & the Caribbean, held in Brazil, Luis Miguel Diazgranados, Head of Hinicio Colombia, and Nuria Hartmann, Manager at Hinicio Chile, presented the latest results of the H2LAC Index 2025.
This voluntary initiative, developed by Hinicio in collaboration with New Energy Events over the past five years, aims to track and highlight the region’s progress toward becoming a global producer of clean hydrogen. The Index evaluates market maturity across five key dimensions:
- National policies, incentives, and regulatory frameworks
- Projects in operation or under development
- International cooperation and hydrogen export planning
- Development of the hydrogen ecosystem at the national level
- Application sectors for clean hydrogen
5th Hydrogen Congress for Latin America & the Caribbean – Source: New Energy Events
What’s New in 2025?
For the first time, Brazil has emerged as the regional frontrunner in clean hydrogen market development. This leap is largely attributed to the country’s significant progress in establishing a regulatory framework focused on stimulating both production and demand for low-carbon hydrogen, most notably through progressive consumption quotas for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Brazil has also made important advancements in certification, setting up its system and assigning responsibilities to national authorities.
Chile now ranks second in the Index, reflecting not a step back, but rather a consolidation of its long-standing leadership. Notable achievements in 2024 include CORFO’s public call for co-financing local electrolyzer manufacturing, and the identification of more than 80 strategic initiatives as part of the country’s updated Hydrogen Action Plan, developed through a participatory, nationwide process. On the project development front, six initiatives are currently undergoing environmental impact assessment, and key pilot projects are moving forward, such as the hydrogen-powered locomotive for mining inputs (by FCAB) and the first hydrogen fuel cell truck manufactured in Chile, developed by REBORN (name to be confirmed).
Colombia, also in the “Frontrunners” group and ranked third, continues to make important progress. Two major milestones this year were the legal definition of low-carbon hydrogen and the final investment decision (FID) for a clean hydrogen application in Ecopetrol’s refinery.
Other Movers in the Region
Economies such as Uruguay, Costa Rica, Argentina, Panama, Peru, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, categorized as “Promising Contenders” and “Fast Followers”, also reported meaningful advancements over the past year, demonstrating the growing commitment to hydrogen development across the region.
H2LAC Index 2025 Highlights Infographic – Download here.
Looking Ahead
Hinicio and New Energy Events will continue to monitor hydrogen market developments across Latin America and the Caribbean and share in-depth, publicly available information through the H2LAC Index platform. To access the latest results and insights, visit https://h2lacindex.com/en/.
Organizations interested in supporting this initiative are encouraged to contact us at chile@hinicio.com.
