French renewable hydrogen developer Lhyfe is advancing plans on its 15 MW green hydrogen production facility in Vallmoll in Tarragona, Spain. This is Lhyfe’s first production site in Spain and is seen as a significant step in the country’s emerging hydrogen economy which also features other development like BP and Iberdrola’s 25 MW facility in Castellón, and the Andalusia Green Hydrogen Valley project. Additionally, the Vallmoll project secured €14 million in grant funding under Spain’s H2 Pioneros program. H2 Pioneros supports renewable hydrogen and energy-transition infrastructure.

Once operational, the plant is expected to produce up to 4.5-5 tons of green hydrogen per day for industrial customers in the Tarragona region. Commissioning is targeted around 2026 through 2027 depending on permitting and final investment decisions.

The project is also designed to help decarbonize other sectors. These include chemicals, logistics, and heavy industry by replacing fossil-based hydrogen and natural gas with renewable hydrogen generated from clean electricity.

Project Factsheet for Lhyfe Vallmoll Green Hydrogen Plant

Location: Vallmoll industrial area, Tarragona in Catalonia, Spain

Developer and Operator: Lhyfe

Electrolyser Capacity: 15 MW

Hydrogen Production Capacity: Up to 5 tons per day of green hydrogen

Target Customers:

• Chemical industry
• Industrial manufacturers
• Transport and logistics operators

Estimated Commissioning: 2026–2027

Public Funding: Up to €14 million grant from Spain’s H2 Pioneros hydrogen program.

Strategic Objective: Replace fossil-derived hydrogen and natural gas in industrial processes with renewable hydrogen.

Stakeholders and Contractors at Lhyfe’s 15 MW Vallmoll Hydrogen Plant in Spain

Lhyfe – Project developer, owner and operator of the Vallmoll hydrogen production plant. The facility will produce up to 5 tons of green hydrogen per day for industrial and mobility applications in Tarragona.

Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition – National authority responsible for the H2 Pioneros grant program that awarded up to €14 million in funding for the project.

H2 Pioneros Program – Government grant program supporting renewable hydrogen production, energy storage, and decarbonization projects in Spain.

Government of Catalonia – Regional administration supporting permitting, industrial policy, and hydrogen cluster development in the Tarragona region.

Port of Tarragona – logistics and industrial hub for hydrogen demand in the Tarragona chemical cluster. Also expected to play a role in hydrogen distribution and industrial integration.

Tarragona Chemical Cluster (AEQT) – Represents the large concentration of chemical and industrial companies expected to be potential hydrogen offtakers for the project.

Capital Energy – hydrogen partner to Lhyfe in Spain and Portugal on broader renewable hydrogen projects.

Enagás – Hydrogen infrastructure developer working on Spain’s hydrogen backbone network that future plants like Vallmoll could connect to.

European Union through NextGenerationEU – a recovery program underpinning Spain’s hydrogen funding schemes and energy-transition investments.

Lhyfe to Construct 15 MW Green Hydrogen Plant in Spain

Reported November 23, 2023 – Embarking on a transformative journey towards sustainable energy solutions, Lhyfe, a prominent global innovator in renewable green hydrogen production, has secured a substantial grant, amounting to €14 million, from H2 Pioneros for the establishment of its inaugural green hydrogen plant in Spain. This strategic project, located in Vallmoll, Tarragona, is poised to play a pivotal role in reshaping the renewable energy landscape of the region.

Project Overview

Lhyfe’s green hydrogen facility in Vallmoll showcases an impressive daily production capacity of up to 5 tons and is scheduled to commence operations in 2026. The financial support, acquired under the auspices of the ‘H2 Pioneros’ program, will underwrite critical aspects such as design, equipment procurement, and construction. This will cover an estimated half of the overall investment.

The plant’s strategic positioning within an industrial enclave also directly addresses the increasing demand for green hydrogen from diverse industrial entities in the region. Prospective clients encompass businesses in chemical and various industrial sectors looking to transition from conventional fuels to green hydrogen in their production processes. Furthermore, companies in transportation and logistics exploring environmentally friendly alternatives, like hydrogen-powered electric vehicles, will find a sustainable solution in Lhyfe’s green hydrogen

Expressing enthusiasm for the grant, Taia Kronborg, Chief Business Officer at Lhyfe, emphasized, “We consider this acknowledgment a result of our dedication and expertise in green hydrogen production and delivery. It underscores our alignment with Spain’s hydrogen strategy.” Lhyfe remains committed to supporting Spain’s agenda of rapidly expanding a hydrogen infrastructure rooted in renewable energies.

Pioneering Role in Spain’s Green Hydrogen Landscape

Lhyfe’s Spanish initiative stands as one of the exclusive 14 projects selected in 2023 for funding from H2 Pioneros. The 14 projects were out of a competitive pool of 81 submissions. This aligns with Spain’s broader mission to fortify its hydrogen infrastructure, fostering the adoption of renewable energies across various industries.

Also read: Essar Energy Transition to build the UK’s Largest Hydrogen Plant

Challenges and Future Outlook on Lhyfe Green Hydrogen Project in Spain

The realization of the project hinges on obtaining necessary authorizations, permits, and financial decisions. Despite these challenges, Lhyfe’s foray into Spain represents a pivotal moment in the nation’s trajectory towards sustainable and renewable energy. Spain’s Hydrogen Roadmap, unveiled in 2020, has surpassed its 2030 target with a current capacity of 15.5 GW. The International Energy Agency (IEA) anticipates Spain contributing significantly to Europe’s growth in dedicated renewable capacity for hydrogen production.

Industry Collaborations

While critics underscore the cost differential between green and grey hydrogen, collaborative platforms like HyDeal Ambition actively collaborate with Spanish and global industrial entities to devise models for green hydrogen production, distribution, and supply.

Lhyfe’s ambitious green hydrogen endeavor in Spain also exemplifies its unwavering commitment to renewable energy solutions. Bolstered by H2 Pioneros’ support, Lhyfe is poised to make a lasting impact on Spain’s industrial landscape. This is by providing a competitive source of green hydrogen to drive sustainability in the region’s industrial and transportation sectors.