Air Liquide accelerates its large scale renewable hydrogen production flagship project in France

  • Investments

Air Liquide increased to 100% its total stake in H2V Normandy, of which it previously held 40%. Renamed Air Liquide Normand’Hy, this company aims to build a large-scale electrolyzer of at least 200 MW for the production of renewable hydrogen in France. This strategic investment will support the development of a low-carbon hydrogen ecosystem in the Normandy industrial basin.

Located in the industrial zone of Port-Jérôme, the large-scale Proton-Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer project of Air Liquide Normand’Hy would supply renewable hydrogen for industrial and heavy mobility applications. This project, which is planned to be commissioned in 2025, will allow to avoid the emission of more than 250,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Air Liquide will connect the electrolyzer to its hydrogen pipeline network in Normandy, which would contribute to the development of the world’s first low-carbon hydrogen network. The Air Liquide Normand’Hy project is a cornerstone of the decarbonization ecosystem which is being set up by Air Liquide with other major industrial players on the Seine Valley axis in Normandy.

Air Liquide Normand’Hy’s public inquiry for the environmental permit has just been completed. The project was also qualified for the second round of the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) Innovation Fund 2020 call and has been pre-notified to the EU by French authorities under the IPCEI H2 (Important Project of Common European Interest) call for projects. These fundings from European, French and regional programs are key to the implementation of the project.

François Jackow, Executive Vice President and a member of the Air Liquide Group’s Executive Committee supervising Europe Industries activities, said:

“This acquisition is a key milestone in producing renewable hydrogen on a large scale to supply industry and mobility markets. By 2030, Air Liquide is committed to bringing its total electrolysis capacity to 3 GW. Drawing on the Group's expertise, the Air Liquide Normand’Hy project will be a key asset to decarbonize the Normandy industrial basin, one of the largest in Europe. It will contribute to the development of a low-carbon society with hydrogen as one of its key levers.”