Toyota Tsusho Europe and Messer are collaborating to establish the first hydrogen production plant for vehicles at the port of Barcelona. This initiative, undertaken by their joint venture SympH2ony, aims to support the decarbonization of the transportation sector in the region.
The proposed hydrogen plant will cover 7,080 square meters and will be situated on 100th Street in the port of Barcelona, near the Hutchison Ports BEST terminal and the future container terminal at the Catalunya dock. This strategic location is intended to facilitate the supply of hydrogen to the truck fleet operating in the port’s terminals. However, the project’s scale and capacity have not been detailed, raising questions about its ability to meet the substantial demand for hydrogen in the region.
SympH2ony, formed in July 2023, is responsible for the construction and operation of the hydrogen production and supply plant. According to Messer, SympH2ony aims to provide comprehensive hydrogen mobility solutions for fleet operations across Europe. This ambition, while commendable, must be assessed against the backdrop of existing hydrogen infrastructure and the logistical challenges of scaling up production and distribution.
The new plant in Barcelona is not the first hydrogen initiative in the area. The industrial estate of the Barcelona Free Trade Zone already hosts a pioneering hydrogen generator by Iberdrola, servicing TMB’s bus fleet. This raises the question of how SympH2ony’s plant will complement or compete with existing infrastructure. Coordination between these projects could enhance efficiency and impact, but competition for resources and market share could pose challenges.
While the hydrogen plant addresses the supply side of the equation, financing sustainable fleets remains a critical issue. The transition to hydrogen-powered vehicles involves significant upfront costs, which can be a barrier for transport groups. Without robust financial support mechanisms, the adoption of hydrogen vehicles may be slower than anticipated, limiting the overall impact of the new plant.
