Electrolyzer factory where the German company will produce green hydrogen Nordex was trying to install Asturiasit will include Navarre. The Government of the Foral community tied this project up by entering its capital – with a contribution of 15 million Euros – and guaranteeing fast processing and tax breaks.
Developing green hydrogen, The energy vector, which is said to play a key role in decarbonizing large industry and heavy transport, is creating major business opportunities and a conflict between regions to attract strong financially backed investments from the European Union (EU). To obtain green hydrogen from water, renewable energy-powered electrolyzers are needed to separate hydrogen and oxygen molecules, and strong demand for this equipment is expected in the coming years.
The German company Nordex, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of wind turbines, and main shareholder is Spanish Acciona, also wants to be a reference point in electrolyzer manufacturing. To do this, it aims to develop an alkaline electrolyzer that adapts to a variable operation working with wind turbines and photovoltaic installations. This technology development program has been declared by the EU as an Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI), and last January, the Spanish Government provided 11.6 million euros from the European plan “Next Generation EU” funds.
In January, Nordex sources told LA NUEVA ESPAÑA of the Prensa Ibérica group that the plan three years of technology development and prototypingAn industrial activity will be considered by the end of 2025 at the earliest, which will take place at Nordex’s headquarters in Barasoain, Navarrese. In the commercial phase, an industrial activity can be developed in Asturias,” Nordex sources said. The company had maintained contacts with the state mining company Hunosa, with the aim of establishing the plant on industrial land it owns in the mining regions of Asturias.
Plans have changed. Nordex and Navarra coalition government (PSOE, Geroa Bai and Podemos) Not only technological development and prototypes are carried out in Navarra, but also possible production and commercialization of electrolyzers. For green hydrogen production. To this end, in Barasoain, in addition to the German multinational Nordex, the public company of the Navarra regional government Sodena (Sociedad de Desarrollo de Navarra, equivalent to an Asturias Idepa). On April 13, Sodena’s entry into the company was formalized in the trade registry.
As reported by the Government of Navarra, the agreement signed with Nordex includes commitments by both parties to contribute €15 million each over the next five years to promote the development and first industrial deployment of a commercial electrolyzer prototype. “First of all, an engineering team of around 35 people is expected to design and test the electrolyzers, which will then begin to industrial distribution and the development of a supply chain that will include suppliers from the region. Resources from the Government of Navarra, at commercial stage and at full capacity, more than 150 It will employ more direct workers and have accumulated more than €70 million in accumulated investment over eight years.”
At the signing of the agreement with the Government of Navarra, Nordex Executive Director José Luis Blanco, Highlights Navarra’s “innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem” It is seen as one of the main reasons for the establishment of the facility in the region. The project will also benefit from direct public participation in the capital and a 15% tax reduction approved by the Government of Navarra for all these commercial ventures related to the production of components of the renewable hydrogen value chain. Also, on April 5, the Government of Navarra declared the Nordex Electrolyzer project of “regional interest”, halving the administrative procedures in a preferential and urgent impulse to speed up the installation and operation process.
The piece the principality is missing in the renewable hydrogen value chain
Manufacture of electrolyzers It was the puzzle piece that completed the renewable hydrogen value chain in Asturias.. There are already hydrogen production projects in the region, most notably large consumption projects such as those planned by the industrial plants of ArcelorMittal and Fertiberia, supported by EDP and supplied from Castilla and León via HyDeal, to convert the Aboño coal plant. and Robla Hub production projects supported by companies Naturgy and Enagás. In addition, Asturias industrial engineering companies such as Duro Felguera and TSK are already running green hydrogen-related projects, and in the component sector, Idesa from the Daniel Alonso group has now produced tanks for the largest green hydrogen complex. Spain introduced by Iberdrola in Puertollano (Ciudad Real). Even in Asturias there are innovative projects initiated by Hunosa, Nortegas, Duro Felguera and Alsa, such as producing green hydrogen with mineral water and using it for injection into the natural gas grid and for road passenger transport. The Nordex project added the possibility of producing an electrolyzer, a key component for producing green hydrogen in Asturias. This is related to equipment whose demand is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, and its availability will be key to meeting green hydrogen distribution targets in Europe. Nordex was not the only electrolyzer production project for Asturias that sounded good. Thierry Lepercq, head of HyDeal, the consortium formed by DH2 Energy, Enagás, ArcelorMittal and Fertiberia, had pointed out the possibility of developing an electrolyzer factory in Asturias in line with the green hydrogen supply plan for the decarbonisation of the principality’s major industry.