Spain is on the cusp of a green hydrogen revolution, and Enagás, the technical manager of the country’s gas networks, is at the forefront of this transformation. Enagás believes that green hydrogen presents an incredible opportunity for Spain to become a major hub for this sustainable energy source in Europe, and it’s determined to make this vision a reality.
Key industry players, including Cepsa, are supporting Enagás in its ambitious pursuit of a hydrogen future. However, the energy giants, Iberdrola and Endesa, are not yet aligned with this vision, revealing a divide within the Spanish energy sector regarding hydrogen adoption.
The announcement of the “First National Green Hydrogen Congress” scheduled for February 2024 in Huelva was met with enthusiastic participation from numerous companies and industrial organizations. Among the attendees was Arturo Gonzalo, CEO of Enagás, who emphasized the enormous potential of green hydrogen to position Spain as a European hub. Gonzalo believes that Andalusia, with its strategic location and industrial capabilities, plays a pivotal role in achieving this goal. He called for seizing the opportunities that renewable hydrogen and public-private, as well as private-private collaborations, offer for both the country and the Andalusia region.
Enagás is actively driving collaborative initiatives. It recently unveiled the H2Med project in Germany, which was well-received, demonstrating the company’s commitment to establishing international collaborations for hydrogen.
In contrast, Iberdrola and Endesa, the two major electricity companies in Spain, maintain their distinct hydrogen strategies. They view the creation of a physical hydrogen infrastructure, such as a hydrogen pipeline network, as costly and believe that it was initiated without a comprehensive economic assessment. Both companies have embarked on projects independently, focusing on consuming hydrogen at the source or transporting hydrogen molecules via ships using ammonia.
Enagás, in an attempt to bridge the gap, has introduced ammonia into the conversation. However, significant differences remain in their approaches to hydrogen.
The “First National Green Hydrogen Congress” enjoys robust support from leading companies committed to green hydrogen, including Cepsa, Enagás, Siemens Energy, Fertiberia, Atlantic Cooper, Masa, and Hiperbaric. Additionally, various government bodies, including the Huelva City Council, Andalusia Government, and the Government of Spain, endorse this event.
Carlos Barrasa, Director of Commercial & Clean Energies at Cepsa, emphasized Huelva’s strategic significance for the company’s energy transition objectives. He believes that the city, Andalusia, Spain, and Europe are poised to lead the green hydrogen revolution, emphasizing the opportunity for a new industrial era.
Despite the existing divide in the Spanish energy sector, the “First National Green Hydrogen Congress” serves as a testament to the enthusiasm and dedication to make green hydrogen a driving force in Spain’s energy landscape.
