Navantia is advancing a bold push into green hydrogen, with Ferrol singled out as the hub for upgrading and scaling an electrolyzer facility capable of producing substantial quantities of this zero-emission fuel. The collaboration includes Naval Public Society and Repsol, which are expected to seal a deal next Tuesday to expand joint efforts in this sector. The initiative aligns with Spain’s broader transition toward clean energy and decarbonization of industrial processes.
The project, dubbed the Giant Factory, forms a central part of the Green Crane initiative and has been submitted to the European Commission as a candidate for the Important European Project of Common Interest IPCEI, with an anticipated decision in June. It marks the first installation of its scale in Spain, with a total annual generation capacity surpassing one gigawatt, according to El Economista reported earlier this week. This milestone underlines Europe’s commitment to large-scale, cross-border energy projects that bolster energy security and industrial leadership.
Naval expertise will contribute through Ferrol’s turbine factory, leveraging its production capacity and infrastructure to support the project. In March, Repsol and Navantia signed a cooperation agreement aimed at developing innovative solutions to decarbonize sea transport. The focus is to test Repsol’s low-carbon footprint liquid fuels, including advanced biofuels produced from waste and synthetic fuels, within Navantia’s propulsion and power systems. The overarching goal remains accelerating the energy transition and achieving carbon neutrality in line with Spain’s emissions targets, EU objectives, United Nations guidelines, and the International Maritime Organization’s standards.
These new fuels offer a solid near- to mid-term decarbonization path for the maritime sector, with the potential for substantial emissions reductions. The project will assess both the technical feasibility and economic viability of deploying this technology at scale, examining performance, cost, and lifecycle impacts to determine practical pathways for industry adoption.
Meanwhile, Navantia’s shipyard in Fene began delivering the first four jackets for 61 wind turbines, with the units destined for St. Brieuc in Brittany, France. Ailes Marines in Brieuc will operate the wind farm within the region’s offshore wind program. The project encompasses an area of 75 square kilometers and a generation capacity of up to 496 MW, with Navantia overseeing the construction and assembly of piles and jackets, while Windar operates in Fene. The development strengthens Navantia’s position as a leading offshore wind supplier for France, a market with substantial offshore wind potential in Europe. The loading operation commenced at 05:30 local time and is expected to continue over the coming days. Each jacket weighs about 1,150 tons, stands 75 meters tall, and spans 25 meters in width, with plans to transport to Cherbourg in the summer for installation at the St Brieuc offshore wind farm. (Source: El Economista)