Technip Energies has been awarded Engineering, Procurement Services and Construction Management (EPsCm) contracts by Galp for an advanced biofuels unit and a green hydrogen unit for its Sines refinery in Portugal. Both projects are part of Galp’s program to reduce the carbon footprint of the refinery and its products.

The Advanced Biofuels Unit, promoted by the joint venture of Galp (75%) and Mitsui (25%), will have a 270 ktpa capacity and will produce renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from bio-feedstock and waste residues. This will allow Galp to avoid c. 800 ktpa of greenhouse gas emissions. For this unit, Technip Energies will work in consortium with Technoedif Engenharia, a large engineering firm in Portugal, to complete the EPsCm project.

The Green Hydrogen Unit, composed of a 100 MW electrolysis plant, will produce up to 15 ktpa of renewable hydrogen, using proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers which will be supplied by Plug Power. This unit will allow the replacement of c. 20% of the existing grey hydrogen consumption of Sines refinery and will lead to greenhouse gas emissions reduction of c. 110 ktpa.

Both units represent a gross investment estimated at €650 million and will transform the Sines refinery into one of the most important low-carbon platforms in Portugal.

The construction of the advanced biofuels and green hydrogen units at the Sines refinery is a significant investment that will have a number of positive impacts. It will help Galp to reduce its carbon footprint, create jobs and boost the local economy, and reduce Portugal’s reliance on imported fossil fuels. While there are some challenges that need to be addressed, the potential benefits of the projects are clear.