Fidelis New Energy has unveiled plans to build its first net-zero carbon hydrogen production facility in Mason County, West Virginia. This venture encompasses not only advanced hydrogen production but also a data center campus powered by clean hydrogen and an innovative greenhouse system that optimizes waste heat and captured CO2 for efficient food cultivation.
The significant decision was announced on August 16, 2023, signaling a pivotal step towards a more sustainable energy landscape. Fidelis New Energy, LLC (“Fidelis”) selected Mason County as the ideal location for the Mountaineer GigaSystem™ (“Mountaineer”), a lifecycle carbon-neutral hydrogen production facility, and the Monarch Cloud Campus™ for data centers powered by net-zero hydrogen.
One of the most compelling aspects of this endeavor is the integration of FidelisH2® proprietary technologies. This innovative approach enables the production of hydrogen with zero lifecycle carbon emissions, achieved through a unique blend of natural gas, renewable energy sources, and carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (“CCUS”). The Mountaineer GigaSystem project comprises four phases, each contributing over 500 metric tons per day (“MTPD”) of net-zero carbon hydrogen. The approximate capital cost for each phase is projected at $2 billion, excluding investments in data centers and greenhouses. The commencement of the first FidelisH2 phase is anticipated in 2028.
The applications of this net-zero carbon hydrogen are wide-ranging, encompassing carbon-neutral hyper-scale data centers, greenhouses, transportation, and even steel production. The integration of hydrogen in these sectors offers a promising pathway toward reducing carbon emissions and creating a more sustainable energy matrix.
The West Virginia Department of Economic Development has provided an incentive package that supports additional geologic evaluation for carbon capture and sequestration (“CCS”), a crucial aspect of the project’s success. The successful execution of CCS activities will lay the foundation for clean hydrogen and CCS industries within the state, generating employment opportunities and contributing to state revenue through the secure storage of CO2 underground. Fidelis has an impressive track record of leadership in the CCUS sector, with prior experience in developing carbon storage assets across the Gulf Coast of the United States and Europe.
When all four phases of the Mountaineer GigaSystem are operational, approximately 10 million metric tons of CO2 will be stored annually, generating substantial revenue for West Virginia. This not only underlines the environmental benefits of the project but also its economic significance for the region.
West Virginia Governor Justice expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Fidelis’s selection of West Virginia for their projects adds another huge win to our growing track record of success…” The project is expected to create around 800 full-time jobs and employ around 4,200 construction workers during the construction phase, contributing to the local economy and fostering technological advancement.
Fidelis New Energy’s ambitious venture aligns with the global shift towards sustainable energy solutions and holds the potential to pave the way for innovative industrial practices in West Virginia and beyond.
