Brétéché, a prominent fuel distributor operating in six French departments, has unveiled Vendée’s first privately-owned hydrogen station. This refuelling station, located in Maché (Vendée), marks a significant leap forward in the adoption of green hydrogen as a clean energy source for commercial vehicles.
Brétéché’s hydrogen station, inaugurated on September 29, 2023, stands as a testament to the growing prominence of green and renewable hydrogen as a key player in the race to decarbonize industry and mobility. This forward-looking project is a result of a partnership with Lhyfe, a pioneer in green hydrogen production.
The Maché hydrogen refuelling station is equipped with a remarkable refuelling capacity, boasting the capability to deliver up to 800 kilograms of green hydrogen per day. This ample supply is tailored to cater to the needs of commercial customers with high-volume hydrogen demands, including heavy goods and utility vehicles. Notably, it ranks among the largest green hydrogen refuelling hubs in France.
What sets this station apart is its commitment to sustainability. It is supplied with green and renewable hydrogen produced merely forty kilometers away in Bouin, at the Lhyfe Pays de la Loire site. This production facility harnesses wind-generated electricity and sea water to create a clean energy source, aligning perfectly with the goals of reducing carbon emissions and fostering sustainability.
This station serves as a foundational milestone for Brétéché, signaling its ambition to develop a hydrogen ecosystem in collaboration with Lhyfe. The partnership aims to extend its success by opening more refuelling stations in various departments, strategically located near Lhyfe’s forthcoming production facilities.
Lhyfe, known for its commitment to green hydrogen production, has outlined ambitious expansion plans to meet the increasing demand from existing and new customers like Brétéché. The Lhyfe Pays de la Loire site in Bouin, which currently boasts an installed capacity of 1 MW, producing up to 300 kilograms of green hydrogen daily, is set to undergo significant growth in 2024.
The production capacity of the Lhyfe Pays de la Loire site will be ramped up to produce a staggering one tonne of green hydrogen daily by 2024. This remarkable leap signifies an installed capacity of 2.5 MW, reflecting the company’s dedication to supplying clean hydrogen to a growing list of customers, including multi-energy service stations and logistics centers.
Matthieu Guesné, Founder and CEO of Lhyfe, applauded Brétéché’s initiative, emphasizing the need for action-oriented players with a strong business culture to accelerate the transition to hydrogen mobility. He highlighted the importance of collaboration among mobility stakeholders, showcasing the potential of privately-owned hydrogen stations to strengthen Vendée’s hydrogen ecosystem.
The collaboration between Brétéché and Lhyfe, epitomized by the opening of Vendée’s first private hydrogen station, heralds a new era of sustainable transportation in France. This transformative project underscores the pivotal role of green hydrogen in achieving decarbonization goals and fostering a greener, more efficient transportation network.
