Following the announcement by the European Commission that Uniper’s H2Maasvlakte project has been selected as an Important Project of Common European Interest , Uniper this week took another important step towards the realization of their 100 MW electrolyzer project for green hydrogen at the Maasvlakte power plant site in the port of Rotterdam

At the World Hydrogen Congress, Uniper and Technip Energies signed the agreement that awards the Front-End Engineering Design  study contract to the international engineering and technology firm, starting immediately in October 2022. A milestone that brings Uniper’s flagship hydrogen project in the Netherlands one important step closer to realization.

H2Maasvlakte aims to gradually scaleup to a total electrolysis capacity of 500 MW for green hydrogen by 2030. The first 100 MW is scheduled to be commissioned in 2025.

Uniper’s flagship H2Maasvlakte project will make a very important contribution to the Dutch government’s goal of building 500 MW of electrolyzer capacity for green hydrogen by 2025 and achieving 3-4 GW by 2030.

Recently, under the IPCEI program, the European Commission nominated the Uniper H2Maasvlakte project for the “IPCEI Hy2Use” hydrogen value chain. As part of this process, the H2Maasvlakte project received a wide range of Letters of Support, Letters of Intent and concluded Memorandum of Understandings from multiple parties ranging from renewable energy producers bidding for Hollandse Kust VI and VII (West), original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for electrolyzers and green hydrogen off-takers within industrial processes. This high level of support shows the significant interest this project has gained across the full value chain locally, nationally and internationally.

As part of the FEED scope of work, a multidisciplinary team from Technip Energies will deliver the full FEED package, including a design for a large-scale water electrolysis system, the balance of plant as well as site integration.

Axel Wietfeld, CEO Uniper Hydrogen said: ‘We are very proud to make this important step and progress to FEED on one of our flagship hydrogen projects in the Netherlands. The location of the project at our Maasvlakte site in the port of Rotterdam will play a key role producing hydrogen for industry using the synergies provided by Uniper’s current operations, while also enabling system integration for connecting renewable power at what will be a very busy location. We are very pleased to be working with Technip Energies, with whom we share the same values of being pioneers in enabling the energy transition with hydrogen.’

Allard Castelein, CEO Port of Rotterdam Authority: ‘Uniper’s decision to start the FEED phase of its 100 MW electrolyzer is an important next step in making Rotterdam Europe’s Hydrogen Hub. It’s our ambition to make the port of Rotterdam an important location for green hydrogen production as well as a major import hub. Starting the FEED study shows Uniper’s determination to be part of this transition towards a sustainable industry.’