Air Liquide, which specialises in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare, is taking a major step forward in Europe's decarbonisation efforts. The company is doing this with the final investment decision (FID) for the construction of ELYgator, a 200 MW electrolyser project at Maasvlakte, in the port of Rotterdam. This project strengthens their position in low-carbon hydrogen production and represents a significant step in decarbonising Europe's industrial needs.
Key factors electrolyser project
This crucial decision follows vital support from the Dutch government through the MRA subsidy scheme (Subsidieregeling grootschalige productie volledig hernieuwbare hydrostof via elektrolyse). This subsidy complements earlier support from the European Innovation Fund and the Dutch IPCEI programme2. Both this continued support and the refined regulatory framework were key factors for the progress of this project.
23,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen
Air Liquide will invest more than €500 million to build, own and operate the electrolyser. It will supply, through a long-term contract, mainly TotalEnergies' industrial platform. The ELYgator electrolyser project will produce 23,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually for industrial and heavy mobility customers, and reduce up to 300,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per operational year.
Planning
This electrolyser is a first of its kind as it will integrate both Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) and alkaline technologies at the same site. It aims to be operational by the end of 2027.
Important milestone
Emilie Mouren-Renouard, Group Executive Committee member responsible for overseeing operations in Europe: "This investment decision is an important milestone and demonstrates our commitment to the development of renewable hydrogen. We firmly believe that robust, large-scale initiatives such as the ELYgator electrylser project will have a real impact on the European industrial and heavy mobility sectors. We welcome the support of the Dutch government, which has been crucial in our decision to go ahead with this important decarbonisation project. ELYgator underlines our commitment to develop concrete technologies and solutions that directly contribute to Europe's ambitions for climate neutrality by 2050."
Source: Air Liquide
Opening photo: Maasvlakte, Image by Capturing Life as it happens via Pixabay
Read also: Research into reusing North Sea pipelines for hydrogen transport
We firmly believe that robust, large-scale initiatives such as the ELYgator electrolyser project will have a real impact on the European manufacturing and heavy mobility sectors.Emilie Mouren-Renouard, member of the Group Executive Committee and responsible for overseeing operations in Europe
