In line with its 2030 ambition to decarbonise the hydrogen used in its European refineries, TotalEnergies has signed agreements with Air Liquide to develop two projects in the Netherlands, for the production and delivery of about 45 000 t/y of green hydrogen. The hydrogen will be produced using renewable power, generated mostly by the OranjeWind offshore wind farm, which was co-developed by TotalEnergies.

These projects will cut CO₂ emissions from TotalEnergies’ refineries in Belgium and the Netherlands by up to 450 000 t/y.

The two companies signed an agreement to set up a 50:50 joint venture, which will build and operate a 250 MW electrolyser near the Zeeland refinery. This project will enable the production of up to 30 000 t/y of green hydrogen, most of which will be delivered to Zeeland’s platform.

The electrolyser will be commissioned in 2029 and will cut the site’s CO2 _{emissions by up to 300 000 t/y. The project represents a global investment of around €600- million for both partners but could be supplemented by funds from European and national subsidy programmes, as the companies have made requests for support. The partners will also seek other forms of funding.}

Further, as part of Air Liquide’s 200 MW ELYgator electrolyser project located in Maasvlakte, in the Netherlands, TotalEnergies has signed a tolling agreement for 130 MW to be dedicated to the production of 15 000 t/y of green hydrogen for the TotalEnergies platform in Antwerp, Belgium.

Under this agreement, TotalEnergies will supply the renewable electrons produced by the OranjeWind project to Air Liquide to be transformed into green hydrogen. The project is expected to be operational by the end of 2027 and will reduce CO2 emissions at the Antwerp site by up to 150 000 t/y.

“Following the first partnership agreement with Air Liquide to supply the Normandy refinery with green hydrogen, and the agreements to supply the Grandpuits and La Mède biorefineries with renewable hydrogen, the partnership with Air Liquide takes on a new dimension and marks a new step in TotalEnergies’ ambition to decarbonise the hydrogen consumed by its refineries in Europe by 2030”, says TotalEnergies refining and chemicals president Vincent Stoquart.

“By supplying these two electrolysers with renewable electricity from our offshore wind project in the Netherlands, TotalEnergies is leveraging its [position] as an integrated electricity company.”

Meanwhile, Air Liquide executive committee member Emilie Mouren-Renouard, notes that flagship projects such as these will “play a key role in reducing emissions, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors such as industry and heavy mobility”.

“These two projects will complete the five Air Liquide low carbon units already in operation or construction in Europe.” This will illustrate Air Liquide’s capacity to offer concrete solutions to its customers, to reach its carbon neutrality ambition by 2050, and to support Europe’s leadership ambition towards decarbonised growth. “It also demonstrates the ability of Air Liquide to develop solid business models in the energy field of low-carbon hydrogen,” Mouren-Renouard concludes.