Blanquefort facility © HDF Energy
Blanquefort facility © HDF Energy
HDF Energy will receive up to €172m ($183m) to support the development and industrialisation of hydrogen fuel cells at its plant in Blanquefort, France.
The grant was received after the European Commission approved French financial support for the project within the framework of the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI).
The approval will be a part of the Commission’s Hy2Move initiative and will ensure HDF can industrialise multi-megawatt fuel cells dedicated to heavy maritime and rail mobility, along with electricity production for public power grids.
Read more:European Commission approves €1.4bn in funding for hydrogen transportation
The industrial site will also include a high-power fuel cell test platform to benefit the company’s industrial partners and European research centres. H2 View understands the facility was selected under the Hy2Move funding due to its potential to advance hydrogen technology in the mobility sector.
“This announcement is a decisive step in our mission to decarbonise heavy maritime and rail mobility with hydrogen,” according to Hanane El Hamraoui, Deputy CEO and Vice-President Industry at HDF.
“It also marks the public authorities’ recognition of the expertise of HDF Energy’s teams, as well as our status as a major player in the hydrogen industry.”
HDF inaugurated its fuel cell manufacturing plant last month (May), capable of developing 1MW+ fuel cells. Up to 80% of the PEM fuel cell tech will be exported from the facility, which is expected to complete its industrial process this year.
Read more:HDF installs high-power hydrogen fuel cell factory in France