The European Commission has authorized public funding for two initiatives by the multinational Italian companies Enel Green Power and Eni to create green hydrogen under IPCEI Hy2Use.
This project of common interest to the EU will spend up to €5.2 billion to support research and development, the first industrial application, and the development of supporting infrastructure in the hydrogen value chain. It was jointly prepared and notified by 13 EU Member States. The money donated will go to South Italy Green Hydrogen, the joint venture the two businesses formed to advance the development of the projects.
A 20 MW electrolyzer will be installed as part of one of the projects at the biorefinery in Gela, Sicily. The other will have a 10 MW electrolyzer located next to Eni’s refinery in Taranto, in the Apulia region. PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) technology will be used by both. The two firms have determined that the best method for accelerating the decarbonization of these two plants is green hydrogen, which is created only using renewable energy.
Future agreements, which will be finalized in accordance with existing regulations, including those on transactions between related parties, may cover the implementation of these projects.
Regarding the green hydrogen market, the Enel Group is also engaged in a number of additional initiatives in the USA, Chile, and Spain.
Eni, the largest producer and user of hydrogen in Italy, further erected a hydrogen station in Mestre, in the Veneto area, in June 2022. The decarbonization of difficult-to-abate industries and heavy transportation is also being considered, both domestically and internationally. By 2050, it is intended to produce 4 MTPA of low-carbon, renewable hydrogen.
