GreenH2Atlantic Secures €62M For Renewable Hydrogen Plan

The HYTLANTIC GreenH2Atlantic project has secured funding worth €62 million from the EU Innovation Fund, which puts it in the forefront of endeavors aimed at furthering large-scale renewable hydrogen production. This development is a landmark one that highlights Europe's dedication to decarbonization and places a spotlight on the growing relevance of hydrogen to the achievement of sustainable energy objectives.

The GreenH2Atlantic project will be located at Sines, Portugal, which plans to deploy and build a 100 MW electrolyser powered purely by renewable wind and solar power. This innovation will produce green hydrogen, and it will feed into the Sines refinery, the major industrial location in the area. The integration of this hydrogen into the natural gas grid means it will not only have impact in the region but also induce decarbonization of both industrial and regional sectors.

Hydrogen has emerged as a critical element in the global shift toward clean energy, offering a versatile and sustainable solution for reducing carbon emissions in sectors that are challenging to electrify, such as heavy industry and transport. The GreenH2Atlantic project is an example of this potential, as it leverages the strategic location and resources of Sines to create a robust model for large-scale hydrogen production and utilization.

The EU Innovation Fund, one of the largest such programs globally and focused on low-carbon technologies, has earmarked the GreenH2Atlantic project because it is a potentially transformative undertaking aligning with European industrial competitiveness ambitions. Among 70 proposals for hydrogen and electrification received by the fund, only eight were shortlisted to the agreement stage, underscoring that the HYTLANTIC team has had the most arduous process out of all competing teams.

ERM-the world's largest sustainability consultancy-critical to this project's success, as the company provided strategic guidance and expertise. ERM supported the GreenH2Atlantic initiative throughout the €62 million funding application process, playing a pivotal role in project reviews, proposal preparation, and overall development. The consultancy's deep understanding of sustainability frameworks and decarbonization strategies significantly contributed to the project's case for funding.

Michael Dolman, lead ERM project lead, said: "It has been an honor to assist HYTLANTIC with Innovation Fund and development work. GreenH2Atlantic is a high-impact decarbonization project that will provide valuable lessons for other project developers seeking to deliver large-scale green hydrogen facilities. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with HYTLANTIC to support the European energy transition.

The 100 MW electrolyser will be a big step for Europe's renewable hydrogen infrastructure, with the project reducing reliance on fossil fuels by injecting green hydrogen into existing energy networks, enhancing the region's energy security and resilience. More importantly, lessons learned from GreenH2Atlantic are expected to pave the way for similar initiatives, fostering innovation and scalability in the hydrogen sector.

This initiative bears extensive wider implications. In pursuit of aggressive climate goals and tending toward net-zero emissions, projects like GreenH2Atlantic bring feasibility to the prospect of large-scale decarbonization. The refinery here, a primary beneficiary, will greatly reduce carbon footprint because the integration of hydrogen into the natural gas grid shows a means of blending renewable energy into existing systems.

The role of ERM in the project shows that sustainability consultancies are of immense value because they bridge the gap between ambitious environmental goals and actionable strategies. They align technical expertise with funding opportunities, and this is how consultancies like ERM allow transformative projects to navigate complex regulatory and financial landscapes.

As Europe continues to scale up its renewable hydrogen infrastructure, the GreenH2Atlantic project is an example of how progress and collaboration can be brought together. The initiative reinforces the EU's commitment to fostering innovation in low-carbon technologies while advancing its vision of a sustainable and competitive energy future. With €62 million in secured funding and a clear roadmap for implementation, the GreenH2Atlantic project is poised to make a lasting impact on Europe's decarbonization journey.