Uruguay Evaluates Changing Hydrogen Plant Construction Zone at Argentina's Request

Uruguay's government is actively reassessing the planned location for a significant green hydrogen plant, demonstrating a commitment to regional cooperation and environmental stewardship. The project, initially slated for the department of Paysandú, has become a focal point of discussion between Uruguay and its neighbor, Argentina, following concerns voiced by Buenos Aires regarding potential environmental and economic repercussions on communities along the Uruguay River.

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we have been working on these months, especially in two areas: one the environmental and another in the area of reflecting whether there was the possibility of relocating the plant.

This delicate diplomatic situation was highlighted during a recent meeting in Montevideo between Uruguayan Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin and his Argentine counterpart, Pablo Quirno. The discussion built upon previous talks in November 2025, where Argentina had urged extreme caution to mitigate adverse effects on the shared riverine populations. A joint statement released after the meeting indicated that Uruguay has provided an update on the project's status, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the company HIF Uruguay to conduct a comprehensive environmental impact assessment.

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We are advancing significantly (...) The process has not ended, we have explained it to the Argentine authorities. It is a process in which we will continue walking.

Lubetkin emphasized that Uruguay is exploring alternative sites that could offer "better utilization of logistical and technical advantages." He acknowledged Argentina's concerns, stating that efforts have been focused on both environmental considerations and the feasibility of relocating the plant. "We are advancing significantly," Lubetkin assured, underscoring that the process is ongoing and collaborative.

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They have been valued in the environmental analyses that the company has done. That is the first thing I want to highlight.

Argentine Minister Quirno praised the "dialogue and constructive understanding" between the two nations, noting that Argentina's concerns have been well-received and incorporated into the ongoing environmental analyses. He stressed the fraternal relationship between the two countries, working together to ensure the project's success while preempting future issues. The involvement of local officials, such as José Luis Walser, the mayor of Colón, Argentina, who stated a clear position favoring development but not at the expense of the environment or tourism, further illustrates the cross-border consensus-building efforts underway.

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We are brothers, friends, and neighbors who are working together for 'a better project' and who are avoiding having problems in the future.