On Thursday 13 October, the European Commission authorised €220 million in a Spanish support measure to help Cobra Instalaciones y Servicios, S.A. (‘COBRA’) to produce renewable hydrogen for use in certain industrial sectors (refineries, ceramics).
The decision follows the approval this year of two important projects of common European interest (IPCEI), Hy2Tech and Hy2Use, in the hydrogen value chain (see EUROPE 13026/14).
The COBRA project was selected by Spain following an open call for participation in an IPCEI in the field of hydrogen technologies and systems.
Spain has notified its intention to support COBRA to start producing renewable hydrogen on a large scale through water electrolysis.
The aid, which will take the form of a direct grant, will support the construction and installation of electrolysers in the Spanish regions of Cartagena and Castellón. The two electrolysers will have a total capacity of 205 MW and are expected to produce approximately 8,550 tonnes of renewable hydrogen and 6,840 tonnes of oxygen per year. The electrolysers are envisaged to be built in stages, with the first being operational from 2023.
When completed, the project is expected to prevent 47,038 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere per year. In addition, to maximise the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the hydrogen produced will only be obtained using electricity from renewable sources. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)