Spanish energy company Moeve has announced that construction has started on phase one of the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley.
Phase one is named Onuba and is located at Moeve’s Energy Park in Palos de la Frontera (Huelva).
It will have a solar-powered, 300MW electrolysis capacity capable of producing approximately 45,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually, with the option to expand by an additional 105MW.
The project represents a joint investment of more than €1 billion and is expected to generate more than 8,000 jobs across the value chain.
The hydrogen will be used to support the more sustainable production of fuels for road, aviation and maritime transport, while also helping to decarbonise industries in the region.
Maarten Wetselaar, CEO of Moeve, commented on the announcement: “Today, we are turning the page on green hydrogen pilot projects towards the chapter of large-scale construction. The Onuba project reinforces Spain’s position at the forefront of Europe’s sustainable energy production and represents a decisive step towards a more competitive and energy-independent Europe.”
According to Moeve, the new plant will benefit from a digital twin and unified data and IoT platform, which will be incorporated from the design stage. This will increase efficiency and allow for predictive operations.
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Besides Moeve, other stakeholders include Hy24, COFIDES, Enagás Renovable, and Alter Enersun.
This first phase of the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley has been designated by the European Union as a Project of Common Interest (PCI) and has secured €304 million in funding from the Spanish Government under the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.
The pioneering project is considered strategically important in positioning Spain as a leader in Europe’s hydrogen market.
Pedro Sánchez, prime minister of Spain, stressed that his government supports projects such as this and believes in the value they have to offer. “We have made renewable hydrogen a true national priority. At a time when very few believed in it, we believed in it, mobilising the expertise of the Spanish public administration and the resources of the Next Generation EU funds.
“We have done so, on the one hand, through measures aimed at creating a market and stimulating demand, introducing mandatory minimum targets for emissions reductions and the uptake of renewable fuels across all modes of transportation.”
