The chief executive of Cepsa, Maarten Wetselaar, spoke at the VIII Energy Forum on Thursday, outlining ambitious plans that position the company at the forefront of Europe’s green hydrogen drive. He noted that by 2030 Cepsa aims to sell more than 60 percent of the green hydrogen output from the Andalusian valley, a target supported by strategic agreements with a broad range of energy players and industrial partners. This market leadership is part of a wider effort to secure long-term sales commitments and steady demand for green hydrogen produced in southern Spain. (Source: Economist)
Wetselaar described the project as Europe’s largest green hydrogen initiative to date, highlighting a production capacity of 2 gigawatts capable of delivering about 300,000 tons of green hydrogen each year. The scale of the plan is matched by a wide network of partnerships spanning the hydrogen value chain, with collaborators across energy, chemical, logistics, and infrastructure sectors. Partners include Fertiberia, Yara Clean Ammonia, Gasunie, EDP, Enagás Renovable, AlterEnersun, ACE Terminal, GETEC, and Damas, illustrating a concerted push to build an integrated, cross-border hydrogen ecosystem. (Source: Corporate statements)
Developing interconnections is a cornerstone of the strategy, with an agreement already in place to create the first corridor linking the Port of Rotterdam with southern Europe. This corridor would connect Rotterdam to Algeciras, tying northern European access to southern European production hubs and port facilities. The move signals a coordinated effort to align European hydrogen markets and transport infrastructure, reducing logistical frictions for green hydrogen across the bloc. (Source: Company announcements)
In addition to the Andalusian hub, Cepsa is pursuing substantial capacity expansions in Spain. A 1 gigawatt green hydrogen facility is planned for Palos de la Frontera in Huelva, complemented by another 1 gigawatt project in San Roque, Cadiz. The investments behind these sites total around 3 billion euros and reflect a broader plan that includes Europe’s largest green ammonia facility, designed to meet growing demand for clean energy carriers. The ammonia facility is expected to produce up to 750,000 tons per year, reinforcing Spain’s potential role as a regional hub for green energy commodities. (Source: Corporate projections)
During his remarks, Wetselaar highlighted Spain’s pivotal opportunity to reshape the country’s energy and industrial landscape. He noted that Spain already enjoys some of Europe’s lowest renewable energy costs and projected that the nation could host some of the continent’s most competitive green molecules soon. This outlook emphasizes the need for regulatory clarity and steady permitting processes to speed project deployment. (Source: Forum remarks)
Despite optimism, the executive warned that the pace of regulatory reform matters just as much as the capital behind the plans. He called for faster permitting and a proactive approach to aligning European funds with streamlined approvals, noting that other European nations have shown how swift regulatory action can unlock large-scale energy projects. The emphasis on timely approvals reflects a shared understanding that permitting timelines can either accelerate or hinder progress toward hydrogen readiness. (Source: Forum summary)
The speaker also urged updates to the regulatory framework to accommodate evolving hydrogen use cases. He pointed to the need for robust support structures and clear market rules that encourage investment in hydrogen infrastructure, including electrical grids and water management channels essential for electrolysis and production. The focus on infrastructure resilience and cross-border coordination aims to anchor Spain’s hydrogen ambitions within a wider European network. (Source: Industry briefings)
Overall, the message from the Energy Forum presents Cepsa as a leading force in Europe’s green transition. The combination of large-scale production facilities, integrated value chain partnerships, improved cross-border transport links, and a supportive regulatory environment could push the region toward a more competitive and secure supply of green energy. The plan envisions not just a single project, but a multi-site, multinational network capable of delivering hydrogen and ammonia at scale while boosting economic development across southern Spain. (Source: Forum coverage)
Looking ahead, observers will watch how permitting, financing, and integration with existing energy systems unfold. If these commitments materialize as described, Spain could emerge as a pivotal player in Europe’s green hydrogen economy, showing how a national energy strategy combined with international collaboration can translate ambition into tangible, measurable changes for industry and consumers alike. (Source: Analyst commentary)