Vattenfall, Preem to study use of offshore wind-based H2 in refining

Swedish utility Vattenfall AB and fuel company Preem AB are getting ready to enter into a feasibility phase to assess the possibility of decarbonising the refining industry on the country’s west coast using offshore wind-based green hydrogen.

In January 2021, the two companies said they were looking into the feasibility of building a large-scale green hydrogen plant at Preem's Lysekil refinery on Sweden's west coast, hoping to eventually proceed with a 200 MW-500 MW project.

On Monday, Vattenfall announced that they are now investigating the possibility of accelerating the development of a value chain based on offshore wind and hydrogen. The energy company said that it recognises a huge potential to decarbonise sectors such as refining, petrochemicals, steel and fertilisers in this way.

"Our strong and growing Swedish offshore wind development portfolio of currently more than 20 TWh offers ample opportunities. Therefore, Vattenfall has taken the initiative for this concept development on the west coast, where offshore wind and hydrogen production can play a key role, in the transformation to a fossil free industry. Cross sector cooperation and partnerships are the way forward," commented Anna Borg, president and CEO of Vattenfall.

“A new infrastructure for hydrogen from offshore wind could swiftly increase supply and speed up our transition towards a climate neutral value chain and enable production of 5 million cubic meters renewable fuels and e-fuels no later than in 2035,” in turn said Magnus Heimburg, CEO of Preem.

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