French govt supports Air Liquide hydrogen project in Normandy

Hydrogen

France – The French government has agreed to help Air Liquide launch its Air Liquide Normand’Hy large-scale renewable hydrogen production project, subject to final approval by the European Commission.

This electrolyzer, with an initial capacity of 200 MW, will use Siemens Energy technology to provide renewable hydrogen to TotalEnergies’ Normandy refinery. This project will make a significant contribution to the development of a low-carbon hydrogen sector in France and Europe, as well as the decarbonization of the Normandy industrial basin. It will also aid in the development of heavy-duty hydrogen mobility in this crucial industry.

The Air Liquide large-scale renewable hydrogen production by electrolysis project has submitted an application to the Hydrogen Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI Hydrogen) program, asking for 190 million euros in funding. Air Liquide applauds the French government’s willingness to support the project by reserving the necessary funds for its implementation, pending the outcome of the European Commission’s investigation.

European renewable hydrogen

This electrolyzer project, named Air Liquide Normand’Hy, will be built in Port-Jérôme, Normandy, and will have a capacity of 200 MW in the first phase. It will be one of the world’s first electrolyzers of this size in operation, allowing industry and mobility to be decarbonized. It is expected to be operational in 2025. It will be built in the framework of the partnership announced between Air Liquide and Siemens Energy in February 2021, and will use Siemens Energy’s Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology. As a result, Air Liquide and Siemens Energy are helping to build a European renewable hydrogen industry with strong Franco-German roots.

Air Liquide and TotalEnergies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the goal of signing a long-term renewable Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for a portion of the Normand’Hy electrolyzer’s needs. The Air Liquide Normand’Hy project will be able to provide renewable hydrogen to industrial companies in the Normandy basin and contribute to the development of low-carbon heavy-duty mobility on the Axe Seine by implementing this electrolyzer technology for the first time at this scale.

Decarbonization

In accordance with the RED2 regulation, the supply of renewable hydrogen will contribute to the decarbonization of the refinery industry in this important French industrial basin. TotalEnergies and Air Liquide have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the use of renewable hydrogen at Air Liquide’s Gonfreville refinery. This refinery is connected to the local Air Liquide hydrogen network, which will also be connected to the new electrolyzer.

The decarbonization of the Normandy industrial basin is being undertaken by Air Liquide Normand’Hy as part of a larger project.

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