US technology firm Plug Power is to build a facility at the Port of Antwerp to produce 35t/d of green hydrogen.

The firm will construct a 100MW electrolyser on 28 acres of land leased under the agreement with the port. It will also install liquefaction technology, with the goal of providing local markets with both liquefied and gaseous hydrogen.

Construction of the plant will begin upon completion of the permitting process, anticipated in late 2023. Initial production of green hydrogen is expected in late 2024, with plant commissioning in 2025.

“As Europe grapples with the challenges of climate change and energy security, our agreement with Port of Antwerp-Bruges will deliver much-needed natively generated, green hydrogen to local markets,” says Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power.

“The energy crisis in Europe resulting from geopolitical risks has accelerated the demand for green hydrogen development projects.”

100MW – Size of electrolyser

The Port of Antwerp is home to a large industrial cluster formed mainly of chemicals firms and wants to become a major hub for the hydrogen trade. The location offers a ready supply of electricity from on-site and nearby wind turbines, with an electric interconnection point less than a mile away.

An open-access hydrogen pipeline will be built alongside the site, and Plug Power has signed a contract with Belgian grid operator Fluxys to conduct a feasibility study on connecting its facility to the pipeline, which will also allow access to the European Hydrogen Backbone.

“Belgium is determined to play a pioneering role in the breakthrough of large-scale green hydrogen,” says energy minister Tinne Van der Straeten. « It is an objective that is well reflected in the federal hydrogen vision and strategy.”

For ports to become hydrogen hubs, they must have local supply and storage in order to balance the market. For this reason, ports such as Rotterdam and Antwerp are signing import deals as well as developing on-site supply projects.

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Author: Tom Young