Uniper has got a positive assessment of its grant application for the H2Maasvlakte project under the EU Innovation Fund, marking a significant step towards the realization of a 100 MW green hydrogen plant.
The financial contribution from this program, which aims to bring innovative technologies to the market, will play a vital role in advancing Uniper’s ambitious hydrogen production plans.
The European Commission’s Innovation Fund, with a substantial budget of 3.6 billion euros, serves as a catalyst for the development and deployment of groundbreaking technologies. Out of the 239 applications received, 41 projects, including Uniper’s H2Maasvlakte, have been selected to receive grants. This recognition highlights the potential and significance of Uniper’s project in the green hydrogen landscape.
The H2Maasvlakte project aims to produce hydrogen for use as feedstock in the chemical industry, refineries, and clean mobility applications. By providing a sustainable alternative to fossil-based fuels, the project will contribute to the decarbonization of these industries. The selection of Uniper’s proposal by the European Commission is attributed to the company’s commitment to transforming existing fossil-based production sites into green energy hubs. The commission commended Uniper’s dedication to facilitating an innovative green energy transition, emphasizing the importance of such initiatives in driving sustainability.
While the initial plan for H2Maasvlakte entails a 100 MW hydrogen plant, Uniper envisions scaling up the production capacity to 500 MW. Leveraging existing infrastructure, such as the electrical grid connection, allows for efficient expansion and integration of the project. This strategic approach ensures the optimal utilization of resources and facilitates the transition to larger-scale green hydrogen production.
Uniper is currently collaborating with Technip Energies and Plug Power in the final stage of a Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) study for H2Maasvlakte. The results of this study will provide crucial insights and data for Uniper’s financial investment decision (FID), expected to be made in 2024. If all goes according to plan, the 100 MW green hydrogen plant could commence operations by the end of 2026 or early 2027. This timeline showcases Uniper’s commitment to expedite the deployment of green hydrogen infrastructure and demonstrates their readiness to contribute to the global energy transition.