Iberdrola is accelerating its green hydrogen program at the Puertollano facility in Ciudad Real, signaling a bold advance in a fast-growing energy sector. After a year of operation, the plant stands as a milestone in the shift toward cleaner energy, with clear aims to lead in both production and export in the near term. Iberdrola sees Puertollano as a cornerstone in a broader plan to decarbonize energy-intensive industries and support a transition to low-emission fuels. [Iberdrola]
Opened in May 2022, Puertollano has emerged as Europe’s largest green hydrogen operation focused on producing emission-free fertilizers. The plant targets an annual output near 3,000 tons and is built around a 100-megawatt solar photovoltaic field, complemented by a lithium-ion battery storage system with 20 megawatt-hours of capacity. It represents Europe’s most expansive integrated green hydrogen production system to date. This blend of solar power, storage, and hydrogen generation positions Puertollano as a scalable model for future green chemical production in Europe and beyond. Puertollano’s design and scale reflect Iberdrola’s commitment to blending renewables with electrolysis to ensure a steady supply of green hydrogen for industrial use, including fertilizer production. [Iberdrola]
With an planned investment of 150 million euros, the Puertollano operation is projected to reach a production capacity of up to 3,000 tons of green hydrogen annually, while eliminating about 48,000 tons of CO2 emissions each year. This estimate aligns with early assessments and highlights the environmental benefits of replacing fossil-based hydrogen with renewable-powered alternatives. The scale of Puertollano demonstrates how targeted investments in solar capacity and storage can enable meaningful decarbonization at an industrial level. [Iberdrola]
international interest and engagement
Since its debut, Puertollano has drawn substantial international attention, hosting more than 100 delegations from around the world. Notable visitors include King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Rob Jetten, the Dutch climate and energy minister, and Sara Aagesen, the state secretary for energy. The site has welcomed leaders and officials from multiple continents, reflecting broad curiosity about green hydrogen and its potential to reshape energy and industrial policy. [Iberdrola]
Over the years, Puertollano has hosted more than 180 visits from governments, business leaders, and universities worldwide. The facility’s inauguration was presided over by King Felipe VI, underscoring its strategic importance in Europe’s energy transition. Energy ministers and government representatives from countries including Australia, Chile, Slovenia, Brazil, Turkey, and the Netherlands have visited, as have delegations from Japan, Morocco, Colombia, and Finland. European chambers of commerce have also toured the site as part of ongoing international engagement. These visits illustrate broad interest in green hydrogen as a lever for decarbonizing heavy industry and transport, and for accelerating the deployment of related supply chains. [Iberdrola]
expanding green projects beyond Puertollano
Puertollano is part of a broader push by Iberdrola to deploy green hydrogen across Spain and beyond. The company is advancing public and commercial deployment near major logistics hubs, including facilities close to ports and airports. One notable site near Barcelona’s Zona Franca spans about 5,000 square meters and is geared to supply hydrogen to a growing fleet of buses operated by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona. The project supports a broader ecosystem of firms and infrastructure aimed at decarbonizing heavy shipping and industrial activity through green hydrogen, methanol, and related derivatives. [Iberdrola]
In Galicia, Iberdrola is moving forward with a green methanol project and has secured EU support for related funding. This initiative is part of a broad portfolio of Iberdrola projects backed by the Next Generation EU framework, reflecting Europe’s push to accelerate clean energy technologies and cross-border collaboration on decarbonization strategies. [Iberdrola]
The Iberdrola group has invested in renewable energy for more than two decades, building a leadership position in this sector. By mid-2023, the group had installed about 41,250 renewable megawatts globally. The company remains committed to a low-emission economy, with around 60 projects under development across eight countries, including Spain, the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, and the United States. These efforts span electrification and decarbonization initiatives in heavy industry and transport, demonstrating a broad commitment to scalable clean-energy solutions across regions with strong market potential. [Iberdrola]
progress in green ammonia and global partnerships
In a major development, Iberdrola secured Europe’s largest-ever green ammonia framework agreement with Trammo, a leading marine marketer and distributor of anhydrous ammonia. The agreement envisions selling up to 100,000 tons of green ammonia per year starting in 2026. The project includes the first green ammonia plant in Huelva, supported by European funds and a substantial 750 million euro investment. [Iberdrola]
The company is actively advancing green ammonia and methanol projects across Europe, the United States, Australia, and other regions, reinforcing Puertollano’s role as a cornerstone of a global growth strategy in green hydrogen and its derivative products. This multi-regional approach aims to unlock new markets, strengthen energy security, and promote sustainable industrial practices through integrated hydrogen value chains. [Iberdrola]
Overall, Iberdrola’s strategy centers on expanding renewable capacity, accelerating electrolyzer deployment, and building end-to-end solutions that connect clean power with industrial demand. By coordinating solar, storage, and low-emission fuels, the company seeks to drive down costs, improve reliability, and help customers meet ambitious decarbonization goals across sectors and borders. [Iberdrola]