HDF Energy, a hydrogen fuel cell company hailing from France, has set its sights on making a substantial impact in the Southern Hemisphere.
With plans to transform part of a former Holden car factory into a hub for manufacturing modular fuel cells, HDF Energy aims to ride the wave of Australia’s growing interest in hydrogen-based solutions. The company’s strategic move highlights the convergence of old and new industries and the potential to leverage existing infrastructure for futuristic energy goals.
Jean-Noel de Charentenay, Deputy CEO of HDF Energy, reveals the company’s aspirations to establish its Australasian base within the premises of the former Holden site at Elizabeth, Adelaide. Recognizing Australia’s geographical advantage and growing hydrogen ecosystem, de Charentenay considers the continent a prime spot for HDF Energy’s expansion plans.
As HDF Energy progresses with a €20 million investment in transforming an abandoned Ford factory in France into its maiden hydrogen fuel cell production plant, the company’s ambitions extend to replicating this success in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Holden site’s historical ties to the automotive industry underline the transformational shift underway. HDF Energy’s discussions with Ross Pelligra, Melbourne property developer and entrepreneur who owns the site, reflect the dynamic interplay of old and new. If successful, the project’s cost is expected to be lower than the €20 million invested in France’s green hydrogen plant. Utilizing existing infrastructure and production lines for modular fuel cells, the Holden site’s legacy could find a new lease on life.
HDF Energy’s ambitions align with South Australia’s hydrogen aspirations, epitomized by the $593 million hydrogen project near Whyalla. Partnering with governments across Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Namibia, HDF Energy envisions deploying its modular fuel cell “boxes” to provide turnkey solutions for electricity generation. The company’s interest in the mining sector adds another layer of potential impact, as the units could power mining sites, catalyzing a green transformation in a traditionally energy-intensive industry.
The confluence of old and new industries is not lost on de Charentenay, who describes the phenomenon as “a pure coincidence.” Just as HDF Energy resurrected a former Ford factory in France, it contemplates a similar narrative at the Holden site. This revival aligns with global trends where abandoned industrial landscapes evolve into centers of innovation and sustainability.
