Plug to build 100-MW green hydrogen plant at Belgian port to supply Europe

US hydrogen technology company Plug Power Inc (NASDAQ:PLUG) announced today it has signed a 30-year concession deal to build a 100-MW electrolyser at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium.

Plug has agreed to lease 28 acres of land at the port so it could construct a facility for the production of 35 tonnes of liquid and gaseous green hydrogen per day, or up to 12,500 tonnes per year, for the European market.

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, with an overall throughput of 289 million tonnes of maritime freight per year, is located at the centre of the largest chemical industry cluster in Europe, Plug notes. Being close to the North Sea, it provides transportation connections to Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK and France.

Plug pointed out that the site location provides the opportunity for a ready supply of electricity from on-site and site-adjacent wind turbines. In addition to offering water, road, rail and pipeline access for the delivery of hydrogen, the site will also benefit from a new open-access hydrogen pipeline. Plug said it has signed a contract with Fluxys to conduct a feasibility study for enabling a connection to the pipeline.

Building works on the project are seen to begin in late 2023, while initial green hydrogen production is expected to start in late 2024. Full commissioning is planned for 2025.

“Belgium is determined to play a pioneering role in the breakthrough of large-scale green hydrogen. It is an objective that is well reflected in the federal hydrogen vision and strategy ‘Green hydrogen for a clean industry.’ That strategy is built on four pillars: positioning Belgium as an import and transit hub in Europe, becoming a leader in hydrogen, establishing a robust hydrogen market and investing in cooperation as a key success factor,” stated Belgium’s Minister of Energy, Tinne Van der Straeten.

Plug's CEO Andy Marsh, in turn, commented that the energy crisis in Europe has accelerated the demand for green hydrogen projects.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!