France – The current ten partners of the VHyGO consortium (Vallée Hydrogène Grand Ouest) announce that their project has been awarded by ADEME as one of the seven laureates of a call for projects for hydrogen-based territorial ecosystems.
VHyGO wants to develop ten green hydrogen production sites, operate twenty hydrogen distribution stations and run 500 green hydrogen utility vehicles in the French regions of Brittany, Normandy and Pays de la Loire by 2024. Lhyfe is coordinating the VHyGO event.
Agence de la Transition Ecologique (Ademe) is a government agency that is active in the energy-efficient reconversion of society and industry, and thus a partner of such developments on a European level.
Sustainable hydrogen
In September 2020, the French government announced its national strategy in this area. Allocating 7 billion euros between now and 2030 to the development of a sustainable hydrogen industry on an international scale. The plan included developing the necessary production capacity in France. Promoting the development of hydrogen for heavy transport and supporting research and innovation in this area.
The aim is to save 6 million tonnes of CO2 a year from 2030, equivalent to the annual emissions of the city of Paris. Not to be outdone: the creation of 50,000 to 150,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Additional 6.5 gigawatts
For the creation of green hydrogen, electrolysis of water is the most appropriate route. The electrolysis requires energy, and preferably green energy. France already has a number of production plants. But it intends to create 6.5 gigawatts of additional capacity by 2030.
The recovery plan, also presented in September 2020, earmarks a gigantic sum (30 of the total 100 billion euros mentioned) for the ecological transition of France.
Benelux
Meanwhile, Lhyfe is also actively developing green hydrogen production units in the Benelux countries. The locations are currently still being kept secret, but promise to enable a supply of green hydrogen at competitive prices throughout Belgium and the Netherlands.
