The Port of Alicante is moving toward green hydrogen with a market consultation. The deadline for submitting proposals is September 30.
Alicante – September 2, 2025.- The Port of Alicante has taken a key step in its sustainability strategy with the launch of a Preliminary Market Consultation (PMC) to prepare for the future concession of a green hydrogen production plant. The initiative, dubbed PORTALI-H2, seeks to position the port as an energy benchmark in the Mediterranean, aligned with the decarbonization goals set by the European Union.
The process will be open until September 30, 2025, and aims to ensure that the project involves the participation of as many operators as possible.
With this initiative, the port of Alicante aims to position itself at the forefront of the energy transition in the Spanish and European port system, aligned with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the EU’s “Fit for 55” plan, which outline the roadmap toward climate neutrality.
The use of this mechanism is regulated by the Public Sector Contracts Law and is increasingly used to prepare complex tenders. In this case, the APA seeks to identify viable technologies, compare timelines and budgets, and ensure that the final plant design meets the needs of the port and its logistics environment.
Specific objectives of the PORTALI-H2 project
Although the plant will have a minimum capacity of 1 MW, the scope of the project goes far beyond mere technical installation. The Port Authority has defined a series of specific objectives that seek to transform the port’s energy ecosystem:
- Implement an efficient and viable green hydrogen plant, adapted to the conditions of the port environment and utilizing state-of-the-art energy technologies.
- Ensure a high contribution of renewable energy, with the goal of covering at least 70% of the plant’s annual consumption and moving toward maximum energy autonomy.
- Incorporate hydrogen as a strategic vector, both in the port’s internal operations and in local maritime and land transportation, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
- Significantly reduce CO₂ emissions, facilitating the progressive decarbonization of the Port Authority and the concessionaire companies operating within the facility.
- Promote research and collaboration with universities and technology centers to validate new solutions and position the port as a living laboratory for energy innovation.
In this way, PORTALI-H2 will not only have a direct impact on reducing emissions, but also aims to transform the Port of Alicante into a strategic energy hub, capable of generating knowledge, attracting private investment, and offering sustainable solutions to the entire logistics chain.
Public-private collaboration as the driving force of the project
One of the key aspects of the project is its public-private partnership model. The Port Authority will not allocate direct public funds; instead, the development and operation of the plant will be assigned to private companies through a public concession. This encourages business participation and the contribution of capital, knowledge, and technology, under the APA’s regulatory framework, and promotes private investment.
This scheme ensures that the port can advance its energy transition, while also driving innovation based on the experience and competitiveness of the private sector.
Other innovation projects in the Port of Alicante
The PORTALI-H2 project is part of a broader strategy that the APA has developed in recent years to promote digitalization, sustainability, and innovation. Among the projects underway or planned are:
- Comprehensive digitalization of port operations: with intelligent maritime and land traffic management systems, as well as digital tools to improve safety and efficiency on docks.
- Blue economy projects: collaborations with startups and research centers to explore new opportunities in renewable marine energy, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability.
- Sustainable mobility in the port area: progressive incorporation of electric and hybrid vehicles into internal operations, as well as the promotion of charging infrastructure and associated services.
- Energy efficiency and renewable energy: studies and pilot projects aimed at installing solar photovoltaic plants and mini-wind turbines, which will contribute to the port’s self-sufficiency and further reduce its carbon footprint.
A port that looks to the future
With these initiatives, the Port of Alicante strengthens its role as a driver of innovation in southeastern Spain and positions itself as one of the most committed locations to the energy transition in the Spanish port system.
The recently launched preliminary consultation is just the first step in a project that, if implemented, will not only represent a step forward in the fight against climate change, but will also open up new opportunities for the local economy, attracting investment and generating skilled employment.
Green hydrogen represents one of the major future challenges for the decarbonization of transport and logistics. The Port Authority seeks to anticipate this future and consolidate its position as an innovative, sustainable, and competitive port in the Mediterranean.
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The Port of Alicante is moving toward green hydrogen with a market consultation. The deadline for submitting proposals is September 30., source
