Air Liquide Commits to financing Electrolyzer development connecting to Holland's agricultural website
In a significant move towards a greener future, Air Liquide and TotalEnergies have joined forces on a major green hydrogen production project in the Netherlands. The project, centred around the ELYgator facility in the Port of Rotterdam, aims to produce 23,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually using renewable energy sources.
Air Liquide has made the final investment decision to build a 200 MW electrolyzer at Maasvlakte, with the project expected to be operational by the end of 2027. The investment for building, owning, and operating ELYgator is estimated to be more than €500 million, with subsidies and government support from the EU and Dutch authorities backing it.
TotalEnergies has committed to a long-term contract to purchase this hydrogen for use in its industrial operations, primarily in refining. This move supports TotalEnergies' goal to decarbonize refineries in Europe by 2030, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 300,000 tons per year.
The OranjeWind offshore wind farm plays a key role in this project by supplying renewable electricity to power the electrolyzer facility. Although specific details about OranjeWind's contribution appear limited, the wind farm is integral to ensuring the hydrogen production is fully renewable and aligned with European energy transition goals.
TotalEnergies entered into an agreement with RWE in July last year to acquire a 50% stake in the OranjeWind farm, which will have an installed capacity of 795 MW and a grid connection capacity of 760 MW. Wind turbine installation work at the OranjeWind site is scheduled to start in early 2027. The specific location of the 250 MW electrolyser near the Zeeland refinery has not been previously mentioned.
TotalEnergies plans to use its share of the electricity from the OranjeWind farm to power 350 MW of electrolyser projects and produce about 40,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually. The OranjeWind farm, located off the coast of IJmuiden, has not been previously mentioned in the context of this project.
This collaboration is not limited to the Rotterdam project. Air Liquide and TotalEnergies also cooperate on other green hydrogen initiatives, such as the La Mède biorefinery platform in France, where Air Liquide operates a renewable hydrogen unit producing 25,000 tons per year to supply hydrogen for biofuel production.
In summary, the partnership involves Air Liquide building and operating large-scale green hydrogen production facilities powered by renewable energy, with TotalEnergies committing to sourcing this hydrogen to decarbonize its industrial activities, primarily in refining. The OranjeWind offshore wind farm specifically provides the renewable electricity needed to make the hydrogen production green and sustainable in the Rotterdam ELYgator project.
- The investment decision by Air Liquide to build a 200 MW electrolyzer is a significant move in the finance industry, as it is part of a larger commitment to produce renewable hydrogen using renewable energy sources.
- The project between Air Liquide and TotalEnergies in the Netherlands represents a major investment in the renewable-energy industry, with an estimated cost of over €500 million.
- The use of renewable energy sources and offshore wind farms like OranjeWind, along with technology advancements in electrolysis, is reshaping the investment landscape in the energy sector.
- The cooperation between Air Liquide and TotalEnergies on green hydrogen initiatives, such as the La Mède biorefinery in France, signifies a strategic shift in the finance and investment approaches towards a more sustainable and greener future in the industry.
