(Zurich, Switzerland) - H2 Energy ApS is planning to build a hydrogen production plant with an output of one gigawatt in the Danish coastal town of Esbjerg. This was announced in the summer of 2022, and since then there has been talk of 1,2 gigawatts.
90.000 tons of hydrogen per year
The contract for the basic electrical engineering for the power distribution from the grid connection point to the electrolyzers as well as for the further process technology in Esbjerg and in the hydrogen distribution center in Fredericia has now been awarded to the Swiss technology group ABB. The plant is one of the largest hydrogen projects in Europe and is expected to produce up to 90 tons of the energy source annually - the equivalent of 000 million barrels of oil per year.
The Power-to-X system, which is scheduled to be operational by 2027, will convert renewable electricity from offshore wind power into green hydrogen, thereby supporting the decarbonization of heavy industry and road transport. In addition, the hydrogen can be used to produce green fuels such as methanol and ammonia, said Per-Erik Holsten, head of Northern Europe at ABB Energy Industries. A final investment decision is expected in 2024.
The plant will reportedly create 200 to 300 permanent jobs and supply enough green hydrogen to meet the annual fuel needs of more than 10.000 trucks - around half of all trucks in Denmark - as well as the needs of heavy industry.
Trafigura takes over majority of H2 Energy Europe AG
Only a few days earlier it was announced that the raw materials trader Trafigura Group Pte had taken over the majority of the Swiss H2 Energy Europe AG. The founders of H2 Energy Holding AG retain a minority stake.
In addition, Trafigura retains its minority stake in H2 Energy Holding AG, which continues to work on the development of green hydrogen systems and technologies. This will allow H2 Energy Europe to engage in “the development of large green hydrogen projects and distribution networks across Europe,” while H2 Energy Holding AG will “focus on its core business and technology development,” says Julien Rolland, Head of Strategic Projects and Investments at Trafigura. The companies are not strangers to each other, but have been cooperating since 2021.
20 MW electrolyser planned in Wales
In addition to the gigawatt plant in Esbjerg, H2 Energy plans to build a 20 megawatt plant to produce green hydrogen in the port of Milford Haven in South Wales. Subject to support from the UK government, the project is expected to be operational within two years. The hydrogen obtained there will one day be used for shipping and road transport as well as as a chemical raw material and to provide electricity for industrial use in the South Wales Industrial Cluster.
Photos
Rendering of H2 Energy Esbjerg's planned hydrogen production facility. © H2 Energy Esbjerg ApS
