(Valencia, Spain) - The oil company BP plc is developing a hydrogen project called “Hyval” at its refinery in Castellón in the Spanish region of Valencia. According to the information, electrolysis capacities of two gigawatts will be gradually developed by 2030 in order to produce green hydrogen. Investments are forecast at two billion euros.
Replacement of gray hydrogen
The hydrogen would “support the decarbonization of refinery operations” and replace the current use of hydrogen produced from natural gas. The energy source is also used as a raw material for the production of biofuels, in particular sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Biofuel production is expected to triple to 2030 tons per year by 650.000. In addition, the green hydrogen will be used in key industries in the Valencia region and will also replace the natural gas currently used there, such as in the ceramics industry, the chemical industry and heavy-duty transport.
The “Hyval” project could create up to 5.000 direct and indirect jobs in the Valencia region. © BP plc
BP wants to develop hydrogen production in several stages. The first phase involves the installation of an electrolysis plant with a capacity of at least 200 megawatts at the Castellón refinery. This is expected to produce up to 31.200 tons of green hydrogen per year, which, as a replacement for natural gas, is estimated to be able to avoid more than 300.000 tons of CO2 emissions per year. Commissioning is planned for 2027. In the second phase, the electrolysis plant would be expanded to a capacity of up to two gigawatts by 2030.
Hyval is a broad initiative led by BP, involving companies from various sectors in the region, public institutions and research and training centers. The full development of Hyval is expected to create up to 5.000 direct and indirect jobs in the region.
Another gigawatt project planned in Spain
A year ago, another consortium also announced a gigawatt project. Accordingly, the Danish investment company Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Enagás SA, the electricity and gas supplier Naturgy Energy Group SA, the fertilizer manufacturer Fertiberia SA and the Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas Wind Systems A/S want to advance the large-scale production of green hydrogen and ammonia.
As part of the "CatalinaAccording to the project mentioned, solar and wind power plants with an output of five gigawatts are to be developed in Aragon in northeastern Spain. The plan is to use the proceeds to operate electrolyzers with an output of two gigawatts, which will one day produce enough green hydrogen to cover 30 percent of Spain's needs.
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Electrolyzers will soon produce green hydrogen at the BP refinery in Castellón. © BP plc
