Sino-German electrolyser joint venture (JV) RCT Hydrogen (RCT GH) has secured one its first commercial orders, winning a contract to supply a 10MW system to a newly confirmed green hydrogen project in Portugal’s Sines Port.
The 10MW Green Hydrogen Sines project by developer Beyond Green reached final investment decision in early July, and is expected to begin production next summer.
Details on the project remain unclear. However, RCT GH told H2 View that the project’s green hydrogen output would be blended into the gas network operated by Portuguese energy supplier EDP.
Gas could also be supplied to a nearby refuelling station in the future.
RCT GH, 51% owned by Germany’s RCT Group and 49% owned by Chinese alkaline electrolyser maker Jiang Guofu Hydrogen Energy Technology & Equipment (Guofuhee), said it will supply “all project components” to connect the electrolyser to the mid-voltage grid.
Beyond Green Chairman, Miguel Matias, said RCT GH will also commission and start up the plant in Sines.
“The timeframe for starting shipment still in 2026 and having production start in summer 2027 is challenging, but achievable with the right partners,” he said.
It comes as one of the first large-scale announced orders by the JV, which unveiled plans to set up 250MW of electrolyser manufacturing capacity in eastern Germany. Beyond manufacturing, the JV plans to build, own, and operate its own plants.
In April, RCT GH said it would start developing a 5MW electrolyser for a project in Saarbrücken, Germany, with commissioning due this year.
The JV’s momentum comes as a growing number of Chinese electrolyser firms look to enter the European market to capitalise on the region’s green hydrogen policy support.
Since September 2024, EU-funded projects have had to limit the sourcing of electrolyser stacks from China to no more than 25% of their full capacity.
Chinese manufacturers are increasingly looking overseas due to intense domestic price competition in project tenders, prompting manufacturers to become more selective about bids and seek markets where they can earn sustainable margins.
