The ministers of Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, and Industry, Reyes Maroto, and the president of the Balearic Government, Francina Armengol, have inaugurate in the Majorcan town of Lloseta the first plant in southern Europe that manufactures green hydrogen for use as fuel exclusively from photovoltaic solar panels.
The facility began production and storage of hydrogen last December, and those responsible are confident that in May they will be able to begin continuous production to supply public and private road transport and to supply heating installations, among other uses.
The project, which has the backing of the European Commission and the participation of Enagas, Acciona, Redexis and another thirty companies and institutions, was launched following the announcement of the closure of the adjacent cement production plant, owned by Cemex, which also participates in the initiative as owner of the land.
The European Union has contributed 10 million euros for the creation of the plant, the Balearic Government has contributed 3.75 million and the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) of the Ministry of Ecological Transition has invested 2.5 million.
The project is expected to involve a total investment of 50 million euros and to generate 300 tons of hydrogen per year with photovoltaic electricity, which would reduce the emission of 20,700 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Buses, cars and air conditioning
The fuel will be used to supply city buses in Palma, whose transport company has acquired five hydrogen-powered vehicles, and for air conditioning in public and private buildings, such as hotels belonging to the Iberostar chain, which is also participating in the project.
In addition, car rental companies are expected to offer hydrogen-powered cars powered by this plant, and the port of Palma will install electricity generation equipment powered by this chemical element, the most abundant in nature.
Redexis, owner of the gas distribution infrastructure, will also supply its customers with natural gas combined with green hydrogen from the Lloseta plant.
