Spain currently hosts a large number of projects related to green hydrogen around the world, a growth pace so rapid that the National Hydrogen Center concedes it cannot monitor every initiative comprehensively.
Yet this surge is seen by many as a beacon of a promising future, while others warn of substantial risks and potentially severe consequences tied to such rapid expansion.
There are starkly opposing views on green hydrogen. Some view it as a breakthrough technology with enormous potential to transform industry and transportation toward sustainability, a perspective supported by the dedicated portal Forococheselectricos.
Green hydrogen raises questions
Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water using renewable energy, positioning it as a clean alternative to fossil fuels.
Researchers are evaluating its potential across transport, industry, and power generation. However, despite its promise, critics argue against committing heavily to green hydrogen at this stage.
One principal argument is its current higher cost relative to gray hydrogen, making it economically challenging to adopt widely.
Official presentation of the Puertollano green hydrogen plant by Iberdrola.
Another critique notes that large-scale green hydrogen production requires substantial renewable energy, which could strain resources available for other important areas like solar and wind power.
It is important to recognize that green hydrogen is still in early development and is beginning to benefit from ongoing advances in technology and cost reduction.
Nevertheless, heavy investment in green hydrogen as a future energy strategy carries notable risks and potential downsides that require careful consideration.
Spain, the world green hydrogen engine
In this context, Spain has emerged as a global hub for green hydrogen investment, with autonomous projects multiplying across the country and accounting for a significant share of global investment, second only to the United States.
The Spanish National Hydrogen Center (CNH2) notes through its director that the sheer volume of projects makes thorough tracking impractical.
Initiatives like the 1.5 billion euro plan announced in 2021 to back the green hydrogen sector and the construction of Europe’s largest green hydrogen production plant in Puertollano by Iberdrola are emblematic.
The facility is expected to start with 100 MW of solar capacity and provide energy to the Fertiberia plant on neighboring land, with projections showing it could meet, or even exceed, those needs if targets are met.
Green hydrogen industry uncertainties persist, as agencies flag ongoing concerns about timing and scope.
Within Andalusia, companies such as Cepsa and Repsol are pursuing the so-called Green Hydrogen Valley, aiming for hundreds of thousands of tons produced by 2027. In Asturias, plans for solar parks could support substantial output of green hydrogen as well.
These projects leverage Spain’s exceptional renewable energy potential, which in theory could cover domestic energy needs and enable exports to Northern Europe.
Spain makes a risky bet
Spain’s green hydrogen ambitions carry risk because there is currently no infrastructure capable of making the energy vector profitable and accessible to a broad base of users.
Production costs remain high due to the complex and expensive processes involved, and hydrogen’s volatile nature and difficulty of obtaining pure gas add to the uncertainty.
Transporting green hydrogen presents further challenges due to its tendency to leak. Experts suggest that widespread use would require extensive vehicle and industrial plant conversions, which could be costly and difficult to implement.
For green hydrogen to become a practical part of the energy mix, considerable investment in infrastructure by industry and commerce will be necessary, alongside clear advantages.
Overall, Spain’s commitment to green hydrogen remains bold and risky, and only time will reveal its success and broader consequences.
Attribution: Forococheselectricos (2023) Hydrogeno Verde: una apuesta acertada para el futuro de España o idea temeraria.