H2 Energy Europe announces that it has received environmental approval for its large-scale green hydrogen plant in Esbjerg, Denmark. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the project, bringing it closer to a final investment decision.
According to H2 Energy Europe, the planned facility will support the decarbonisation of heavy industry and road transport, while also serving as a chemical feedstock for the production of sustainable e-fuels such as methanol and ammonia, boosting Europe's green transition.
In addition to creating approximately 60 permanent jobs and up to 700 jobs during the construction phase, the facility will also produce CO2-neutral surplus heat, which has the potential to supply most households in Esbjerg with district heating.
The Mayor of Esbjerg, Jesper Frost Rasmussen, said that the environmental approval given to the upcoming hydrogen plant by H2 Energy Europe is of paramount importance to Esbjerg and positions it as a leading green business city in Europe.
"H2 Energy Europe will play a key role in attracting other Power-to-X (PtX) companies to Esbjerg. However, there remains a need to clarify the location of the hydrogen pipeline and its expected establishment, which are critical to the realisation of a robust hydrogen industry in Denmark. We hope that these issues will soon be resolved, further advancing the region's green energy ambitions," explained Rasmussen.
According to H2 Energy Europe's operations manager Mark Pedersen, the safety of operations is the first priority. "Achieving environmental approval for a project of this size and at such an early stage of the year underlines our commitment to ensuring the well-being of our community. It also reflects the helpful and forward-thinking approach of the municipality of Esbjerg. We are deeply grateful for their cooperation and shared vision in bringing this project to fruition."
But the project will also have a significant environmental impact on the town. "Our facility is set to revolutionise the way we think about wastewater by converting it from local sewage to green hydrogen. This innovative approach is expected to absorb more than 1 million cubic meters of water per year for electrolysis. This will significantly reduce the burden on drinking water and groundwater resources, further advancing our mission towards sustainable development.
While this approval represents a significant milestone in Denmark's leadership in Power-to-X technology, H2 Energy Europe noted that it recognizes the challenges ahead.
The importance of the proposed pipeline, which is scheduled for completion in 2028, cannot be overstated as it will play a vital role in distributing the green hydrogen produced by the facility to other countries in Europe, thereby boosting the Danish economy. "Both H2 Energy Europe and the municipality of Esbjerg are at the forefront of national development and this deserves endless applause. The year 2023 presented many obstacles, but we fully believe that Danish private and public officials will fulfil the potential of the hydrogen industry. 2024 is a pivotal year for the Danish hydrogen industry and to start it with a big step for one of the biggest projects is a strong signal for the entire ecosystem," said Troels Ranis, Vice President of the Confederation of Danish Industry and CEO of DI Energy.
H2 Energy Europe's project is in line with Esbjerg's Vision 2025, which aims to transform the city into a sustainable energy metropolis and strengthen Denmark's position as a leader in sustainable energy solutions.
Source: H2 Energy Europe
