A public-private project in Gijon, known as Hydrogen Hub Asturias (H2Aturias), has started building a pilot plant for hydrogen production. The lead partner in the project is global steel producer ArcelorMittal. This initiative, which will have a major impact on the decarbonisation and transformation of industry in Asturias, represents a first step in the use of green hydrogen in industrial processes.
The pilot plant, to be called GasLab, will be built on the site of the ArcelorMittal plant in Gijon and will have a capacity of 1.2 MW. This facility will process various types of industrial gases and will allow the testing and acceleration of technologies in the industrial sector. The construction, with a total budget of EUR 6,6 million, is scheduled for completion within three years.
"The pilot plant is of strategic importance for the decarbonisation and transformation of Asturian industry and is the first tangible step in the use of green hydrogen in industrial processes. The GasLab will be able to test and accelerate the technology in industry, making this facility unique in Spain and the world," commented Spanish Minister of Science and Commerce Borja Sanchez on the project.
In addition to ArcelorMittal, the project involves the H2Aturias consortium, which includes other partners such as Idesa, Iturcemi, Magna Dea, H2Vector Energy Technologies, the University of Oviedo, the Idonial Foundation and the Carbon Science and Technology Institute. This project is part of ArcelorMittal's broader efforts to decarbonise its production processes, which includes other initiatives such as the development of DRI and EAF technologies in different parts of Europe.
Decarbonisation of the steel industry remains an important issue in the current economic environment, with the transition to cleaner energy sources and technologies playing a key role in the future of the industry.
Source text and photo: ArcelorMittal
