Two Texas hydrogen hub proposals unite in pursuit of federal funds

Two proposals for regional clean hydrogen hubs in the US, the Port of Corpus Christi Horizons Clean Hydrogen Hub (HCH2) and Trans Permian H2Hub, have decided to join forces and proceed by submitting a single application in the US Department of Energy’s (DoE) Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Programme.

The US has committed USD 8 billion (EUR 7.4bn) to the establishment of clean hydrogen hubs around the country. The DoE opened a USD-7-billion funding opportunity in September 2022 with the intention to back up to 10 hubs.

Do you know we have a daily hydrogen newsletter? Subscribe here for free!

After concept paper submissions in November 2022, HCH2 and Trans Permian have been both encouraged by the DoE to file full applications, which are due in April 2023.

The merger of the two proposals was announced by the Port of Corpus Christi on Tuesday. The leading US energy export port, located on the western Gulf of Mexico, will be the prime applicant.

The HCH2 proposal includes about two dozen clean hydrogen production projects and about 30 private sector team members.

The Trans Permian hub, put forward by MMEX Resources Corp, includes the Texas Permian Basin cities of San Antonio, San Angelo, Big Spring, Midland, Odessa, El Paso, Fort Stockton, Alpine, Presidio and Del Rio. It encompasses production and hydrogen derivatives from various feedstocks as well as mobility projects.

“West Texas has anchored domestic energy production for decades, with a physical and commercial connection to the Gulf Coast that is the backbone of the nation’s energy economy,” said Jeff Pollack, chief strategy and sustainability officer for the Port of Corpus Christi.

“Our integrated Hub concept creates the roadmap for diversifying and decarbonising this historic corridor with the potential to deliver transformative benefits to communities in the Hub,” Pollack added.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.929)