The MOL-owned Croatian oil and gas company INA plans to begin harnessing solar energy at its oil refinery in Rijeka to produce green hydrogen.
Oil refiner and gasoline distributor INA previously started solar power projects as part of its transformation into a diversified energy organization, and it is now focusing on hydrogen as one of the primary solutions for the decarbonization of industry and transportation.
A request for an evaluation of the necessity for an environmental impact assessment for two solar power plants and a green hydrogen production facility has been made by INA to the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development.
A 10 MW electrolyzer
According to the application, polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolysis will create green hydrogen in a 10 MW electrolyzer (PEM EL).
1,500 tons of green hydrogen will be produced annually at a rate of 4.5 tons per day. The plan is to supply Croatia’s transportation industry and use it for the refinery’s internal needs. It should be noted that INA already manufactures and utilizes gray hydrogen at the facility, which is derived from natural gas.
On a total area of 2,000 square meters, hydrogen will be kept in ISO containers in the same place.
There are two more solar power plants planned
For the electrolyzer to run, two photovoltaic power plants will be constructed, one at each location. They will contribute a portion of the necessary electricity, with the remaining amount coming from the grid.
While FNE3 will be constructed on 0.75 hectares and have a capacity of 4.8 MW, FNE2 will be installed on one hectare and have an 8 MW capacity. It is anticipated that 18,000 MWh of power will be produced annually on average.
The request, which is one of the first steps in the project’s implementation, states that all essential infrastructure, such as substations, power lines, and pipes, will be installed at the site for the future hydrogen station and two power plants.
Croatia adopted the hydrogen long-term strategy.
