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Germany should push domestic green hydrogen production as import quantities ‘uncertain’ – researchers

Germany should push domestic green hydrogen production as import quantities ‘uncertain’ – researchers

Clean Energy Wire

Germany is betting big on green hydrogen imports but the country should strengthen its own production as well because it is “uncertain” where those imports will come from in relevant quantities by 2030, researchers have warned. Environmental think tank Wuppertal Institute said in a report that production targets in European countries lag behind Germany’s, adding that many states are also focusing on ramping up hydrogen production for domestic demand. Spain is among the most advanced when it comes to hydrogen projects but will also initially focus on local needs, the researchers noted. Europe’s existing hydrogen production sites and those with a definite investment decision currently amount to 2.5 gigawatts, just 6 percent of the EU’s 2030 target. Imports from global “sweet spots” with high renewables potential, such as Namibia and Saudi Arabia, will only make a small initial contribution to Germany’s hydrogen supply, stated the report.

According to the government’s 2030 hydrogen import strategy, it expects imports will cover 50 to 70 percent of demand for the fuel, seen as a key technology to decarbonise sectors where electrification is not an option, such as in parts of industrial manufacturing or in chemical production. Wuppertal Institute president Manfred Fischedick said Germany needed “more in-house production” of hydrogen, while at the same time bolstering global alliances. He called for an increase of cooperation in Europe to expand the H2 economy.

In 2023, Namibia commissioned a 10-billion-dollar green hydrogen project – Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest – in conjunction with German investors. The country is hosting a major hydrogen summit this week.

Source: Hydrogencentral

bp and Iberdrola announce final investment decision for largest green hydrogen plant in Spain

bp and Iberdrola announce final investment decision for largest green hydrogen plant in Spain

bp and Iberdrola have given the green light for construction of a 25 MW green hydrogen project at bp’s Castellón refinery which is expected to be operational in second half of 2026. This is the first hydrogen project jointly undertaken by bp and Iberdrola through Castellón Green Hydrogen S.L., a joint venture equally owned by both companies. The project was presented at an official event to publicly celebrate the signing in July 2024 of the final investment decision between bp and Iberdrola.

This initiative, which includes the participation of the Technology Institute of Energy (ITE), has been awarded funding of 15 million euros from the Innovative Value Chain and Renewable Hydrogen Knowledge call of the Spanish Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan, with funding allocated by NextGenerationEU of the European Union.

Felipe Arbelaez, bp’s senior vice president, hydrogen & CCS

“bp’s first investment decision for an industrial scale project is an important step forward for our hydrogen business.

We are focused on value, progressing only the best projects in our portfolio that can create additional value through integration and fully meet our investment hurdles. This also demonstrates the strength of partners combining their strengths to advance a nascent energy source that has the potential to play meaningful role in decarbonising industry. Castellón refinery can lead the way with its transformation.”

Millán Garcia-Tola, Global Director of Hydrogen in Iberdrola said “this partnership with bp and our project is another step in Iberdrola’s firm and real commitment to promote green hydrogen as a key vector for industrial decarbonization. The plant will convert 200 GWh/yr of Iberdrola’s renewable energy into green hydrogen that will contribute to bp’s decarbonization strategy, in another example of close collaboration between both companies, reliable partners that share values as long term decarbonization commitment. Iberdrola will apply all the experience of its existing green hydrogen plants to optimize and accelerate the development of this project”.

Olvido Moraleda, President of bp Energía España said .

“This project marks a milestone in our strategy and reflects the importance of collaboration, both with other companies that share our vision, such as Iberdrola, and in the public-private sphere.

In this way, we not only advance the transformation of our infrastructure in Castellón, but also aim to strengthen the economic fabric and industrial capacity of the entire Valencia region,”

Mario Ruiz-Tagle, CEO of Iberdrola Spain, highlighted that this project is

“another example of our strategic alliance with bp, uniting us to lead the future of renewable hydrogen in the Valencian region.

Projects like Castellón show that, with the collaboration of all agents in the sector and the appropriate incentives, it is possible to develop a new industrial model based on the green hydrogen value chain. The green hydrogen economy is emissions free, electrified, attracts investment and creates quality jobs in the region. This is the true energy transition. We continue to work with committed partners to position Spain as a technological benchmark, boosting the creation of a green hydrogen industry in Europe.”

The 25 MW electrolyzer will be powered by renewable electricity through a power purchase agreement (PPA) signed with Iberdrola that will supply 200GWh/year coming from Iberdrola’s photovoltaic and wind projects. The electrolyzer will include 5 modules of 5 MW containerized proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology, which will be supplied by Plug Power, a leading manufacturer of green hydrogen solutions. The green hydrogen produced by the electrolysis of water powered by renewable electricity will comply with European requirements to produce green hydrogen (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin, RFNBO) and will support the transition of bp’s Castellón refinery into an integrated energy hub. It’s expected around 2,800 annual tons of green hydrogen could substitute part of the grey hydrogen currently used by the refinery – currently produced from natural gas – and as such is expected to result in avoiding the emission of 23,000 tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to the emissions of 5,000 cars over the same period. This plant could create up to 500 new direct jobs during its construction.

In parallel to this initial 25 MW project, bp continues to assess opportunities to increase capacity in the coming years. In subsequent phases of the project, the green hydrogen produced could also be used in key hard-to-abate industries in the Valencia region, such as the ceramics sector replacing natural gas used in its processes, in chemical industries and in heavy transport.

The launch of this project has been announced just weeks after bp signed a letter of intent with the Valencian Government to reinforce the region’s position as a leader in the energy transition. The letter has materialized in the creation of a joint working committee that will serve as a platform for dialogue and collaboration between both parties and will oversee the transformation of bp’s refinery in Castellón into an integrated energy hub.

In recent months, Iberdrola has closed several long-term alliances to promote the decarbonisation of the economy. Further to the joint venture with bp to accelerate the electric mobility in Spain and Portugal, Iberdrola has entered into a number of long-term partnerships with Norges Bank Investment Management, Masdar, Mapfre and Energy Infrastructure Partners to further advance the development of renewable energy, and with GIC to expand transmission networks in Brazil.

Source: Hydrogencentral

Sunfire awarded contract for 100-MW electrolyzer at RWE’s hydrogen site in Lingen

Sunfire has been awarded a contract for a 100-MW alkaline electrolyzer at RWE’s hydrogen site in Lingen, Germany. The order comes a few days after RWE’s final investment decision for its largest hydrogen project to date, which is scheduled to begin operation by the end of 2027.

Sunfire will supply RWE with 10 modules of its pressurized alkaline technology, each with a 10-MW capacity. The electrolyzer will provide one-third of the total production capacity as part of the third construction phase, which will bring RWE’s plant to 300 MW. Additionally, Sunfire will oversee the installation and commissioning of the 100-MW electrolyzer. The plant will produce up to two tons of green hydrogen per hour, primarily serving industrial customers in Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia.

Dr. Sopna Sury, COO Hydrogen of RWE Generation, commented: “After Sunfire has already provided an electrolyzer for our pilot plant in Lingen, we are looking forward to continuing this collaboration as part of the GET H2 nucleus project. With Sunfire’s electrolyzer, the GET H2 Nukleus will reach its full production capacity in 2027. At the same time, we are expanding our technology portfolio with an alkaline electrolyzer in the three-digit megawatt range.”

Source:  Hydrogentechworld

The Management Board and Supervisory Board of Enapter AG (“Enapter“) today resolved on a capital increase against cash contributions by issuing new shares from the authorized capital with the granting of subscription rights (“Offer”). The issue volume amounts to up to EUR 8 million. Up to 1,877,934 new shares will be issued at an offer price of EUR 4.26 per share. This corresponds to a discount of approximately 5% on the weighted XETRA average price of Enapter shares over the last 10 trading days.

Blugreen Company Limited, the main shareholder of Enapter with a stake of approximately 55.7% in the share capital, has undertaken to participate in the capital increase with an amount of EUR 1.5 million. In order to facilitate the placement and allocation to strategic investors, the major shareholder is also waiving the exercise of its subscription rights. In addition, there are further binding subscription commitments from investors with a volume of EUR 5.5 million, including from the Wolong Group, with which a joint venture is operated in China. First Berlin Securities Brokerage is acting as bookrunner for the placement.

The net proceeds from the offering will be used primarily to fund working capital for operations, general and administrative expenses and other general corporate purposes.

Furthermore, Enapter today concluded an agreement in principle with Patrimonium Middle Market Debt Fund (“Patrimonium“), a private debt fund of Patrimonium Asset Management AG, on the extension of the term of the existing financing of EUR 25 million in the form of a bearer bond until February 29, 2028. The effective date of the extension is subject to the finalization of the IDW S6 report prepared for this purpose and the implementation of a trust agreement in favor of Patrimonium regarding the shares in the subsidiary Enapter Immobilien GmbH. The Management Board assumes that the relevant conditions will be met in the course of October.

Publication of inside information pursuant to Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014

About Enapter

Enapter is an innovative energy technology company that manufactures highly efficient hydrogen generators – so-called electrolysers – to replace fossil fuels and thus drive the energy transition globally. The patented and proven anion exchange membrane technology (AEM) enables the series and mass production of cost-effective electrolysers for the production of green hydrogen on any scale and almost anywhere in the world. The modular systems are already being used by more than 340 customers in over 50 countries worldwide, including in the energy, mobility, industrial, heating and telecommunications sectors. The Enapter Group is headquartered in Germany and has an R&D and production site in Italy.


Enapter AG is listed on the regulated market of the Frankfurt and Hamburg stock exchanges, ISIN: DE000A255G02.

Source: Fuel Cells Works

Whitehouse, Merkley, Raskin, Beyer & 62 Lawmakers Urge Biden Administration to Finalize Strict Clean Hydrogen Tax Credit Rules

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representatives Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Don Beyer (D-VA) yesterday led a letter from 66 members of Congress calling on the Biden Administration to finalize strict rules for the Section 45V Tax Credit for Production of Clean Hydrogen that was passed as part of Democrats’ historic Inflation Reduction Act.

In a letter sent yesterday to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, EPA Administrator Michael Regan, OMB Director Shalanda Young, National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi, and John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation, the lawmakers urged the administration to quickly finalize the strong proposed rules for 45V that aligned with Congressional intent and would reduce carbon emissions, while ensuring the tax credit supported robust growth in the nascent clean hydrogen industry.

“When Congress drafted the climate provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, including the Section 45V Tax Credit for Production of Clean Hydrogen, our primary intent was to develop a suite of incentives that would result in substantial emissions reductions.  The 45V tax credit is a key part of the IRA, which will help decarbonize hard-to-abate industrial sectors.  Treasury’s proposed rules for 45V remain critical to ensuring that 45V does not increase net carbon pollution, and we urge Treasury to finalize rules consistent with its proposal,” wrote the lawmakers.

“The U.S. has the chance and is well-suited to stake out a leading position on clean manufacturing; we must not squander this opportunity for short-sighted gain,” added the members.  “Treasury’s strong proposed rules demonstrated a commitment to evidence-based policy, and we urge Treasury to maintain this rigor as it finalizes the regulations.  Just as we agree that it is important to get clean hydrogen right, we agree that no tax credit is worth compromising our commitment to tackling the climate crisis by pursuing scientific emissions reduction targets.”

The Inflation Reduction Act included a suite of clean energy tax credits and other provisions to boost decarbonization technologies in the United States, including the Section 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit.  Clean hydrogen has the potential to reduce emissions in aviation, shipping, steelmaking, and heavy-duty vehicles, but is still at an early stage of development.  The 45V tax credit, as designed by Congress, aimed to jump start innovation in the hydrogen industry to give clean hydrogen an opportunity to compete with conventional “grey” hydrogen.

Senators Whitehouse and Merkley asked Treasury in an October 2023 letter to adhere closely to Congressional intent and implement strict rules for the 45V tax credit.  The senators urged Treasury to design the standards around three principles – additionality, deliverability, and time-matching – to ensure the environmental integrity of the program.  The senators also pointed to the rules governing the European Union’s clean hydrogen economy as a good starting point for Treasury’s standards.

“A three-pillar framework with strong protections against fossil fuel greenwashing ensures the hydrogen tax credit is part of a solution to this problem by stimulating demand for new sources of clean electricity generation while fulfilling its primary goal of reducing carbon pollution.  These rules ensure that we do not subsidize a greenwashed industry that burdens environmental justice communities with toxic pollution,” added the 66 members of Congress.

Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) joined Whitehouse and Merkley on the letter.  Representatives Raskin and Beyer led a group of 58 members of the House of Representatives in signing the letter.  Climate Action Campaign, Natural Resources Defense Council, Earthjustice, League of Conservation Voters, Environmental Defense Fund, Union of Concerned Scientists, Sierra Club, and Evergreen Action endorsed the lawmakers’ letter.

Source: Fuel Cells Works