Mallorca inaugurates the first green hydrogen plant in the State

The islands aspire to become the first clean energy hub in the Mediterranean

Mallorca becomes the first territory of the State that produces green hydrogen. The first molecules were produced last December and the electrolyzer that produces hydrogen is already working in tests until it can produce about 300 tons of this material when it is at full capacity from photovoltaic panels, which will mean a reduction in emissions of about 21,000 tons of CO2 per year.

The hydrogen produced at the Lloseta plant in Mallorca will serve as fuel for the buses of the Municipal Transport Company of Palma. It will also be a source of energy for public buildings in the Balearic Islands and for the port of Palma and will be injected into the Redexis gas network once the construction of the first hydroduct in Spain is completed.

The new plant will mean a reduction in emissions of 21,000 tons of CO2 per year

The business sector is also joining the deployment of this model and an agreement has been reached with the Iberostar hotel group to replace part of its gas consumption with renewable hydrogen. The new balearic tourism law obliges establishments to progressively change their energy facilities.

This is the development of the ‘Green Hysland’ Project, led by Enagas and Acciona Energía, with the participation of CEMEX and IDAE. It is located in an old CEMEX cement factory in the municipality of Lloseta and has involved an investment of about 50 million euros of which 10 million come from the European Union. It is the largest grant granted to a green hydrogen project and the first to a Mediterranean country.

Hydrogen will serve as fuel for Palma’s EMT bus fleet

The whole project represents a step in the decarbonization of the Balearic Islands and an advance in the fulfillment of the objectives set by the Climate Change Law of the islands according to the Government of Francina Armengol. The objective is for Mallorca to become a renewable hydrogen hub for the whole of southern Europe since the project inaugurated yesterday is joined by at least two others of similar characteristics that are still in the very early stage.

The plant was inaugurated yesterday with the assistance of Vice President Teresa Ribera, who valued that it is a “pioneering” project to replace fossil gas with renewable gases, such as biogas, biomethane, and hydrogen obtained with renewable energies.

“Thanks to these advances, we will reduce our dependence on hydrocarbon imports, offer a solution for the decarbonization of sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as industry or heavy transport, and create new companies and new quality jobs,” said the vice president.

“Now, more than ever, we must activate all the springs to gain energy sovereignty, and renewable energies will have a decisive role. And among them, hydrogen is a strategic commitment of the country, “he added.

The Balearic Government says that the project allows progress in energy sovereignty

The Balearic president, Francina Armengol, has pointed out that it is a “historic day” and has highlighted the importance of what it means to be the first territory to produce this type of energy: “Being the first has responsibility because you are an example to follow, but it also means that you have planned first”.

Armengol recalled that the Government already worked during the last legislature to “plan the future and set objectives”, which today are complied with laws such as climate change or waste or with a just energy transition plan.

The proposal is led by Enagás and Acciona Energía

“Energy sovereignty is key if we want to reduce our high dependence on energy sources from abroad and this first hydrogen plant symbolizes the clear commitment to achieve energy sovereignty while fighting against climate change and diversifying our production model,” said the vice president of the Balearic Government and Minister of Energy Transition, Juan Pedro Yllanes.

The inauguration was also attended by the president of ACCIONA, Jose Manuel Entrecanales; the CEO of Enagás, Arturo Gonzalo, and the executive director of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, Bart Biebuyck.

Source: The Vanguard