Spanish energy company Moeve said it has begun construction of phase one of the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley.
Its first phase, known as Onuba, is located in Moeve’s Energy Park in Palos de la Frontera – Huelva.
Apparently, it will have a solar-powered, 300MW electrolysis capacity that will be able to produce around 45,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year, with the option to expand by a further 105MW.
The project is a joint investment of over €1 billion and is expected to create over 8,000 jobs in the value chain.
The hydrogen will be used to help produce more sustainable fuels for road, aviation and maritime transport, and to decarbonise industry in the region.
Commenting on the announcement, Moeve CEO Maarten Wetselaar said, “Today, we are turning the page on green hydrogen pilot projects towards the chapter of large-scale construction. The Onuba project reinforces Spain’s position at the forefront of Europe’s sustainable energy production and represents a decisive step towards a more competitive and energy-independent Europe.”
According to Moeve, the new plant will feature a digital twin and unified data and IoT platform that will be integrated from the design stage. This will enhance efficiency and enable predictive operations.
Other stakeholders involved in the project are Hy24, COFIDES, Enagás Renovable and Alter Enersun.
The Spanish Government has approved €304 million in funding for the first phase of the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley under the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, and the European Union has classified it as a Project of Common Interest – PCI.
The pioneering project is strategically key to establishing Spain as a leader in the European hydrogen market.
Pedro Sánchez, the Spain prime minister, emphasized that his government supports projects like this and believes in the value they bring. He adds, “We have made renewable hydrogen a true national priority. At a time when very few believed in it, we believed in it, mobilising the expertise of the Spanish public administration and the resources of the Next Generation EU fund. We have done so, on the one hand, through measures aimed at creating a market and stimulating demand, introducing mandatory minimum targets for emissions reductions and the uptake of renewable fuels across all modes of transportation.”
Sanchez added that Spain’s goal is to provide certainty to investors, boost supply and ease the development of industrial projects around the country.
Andalucía Green Hydrogen Valley
The Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley takes advantage of the fact that there is space, ports and the appropriate climate in Andalusia to produce renewable electricity at a much lower cost than northern Europe.
Not only is it designed to deliver 2 GW of electrolysis capacity across Moeve’s Energy Parks in Palos de la Frontera – Huelva and San Roque – Cádiz, but it will also be home to a new second-generation – 2G biofuels plant.
Says Moeve that in 2027, the biofuels facility will produce sustainable aviation fuel – SAF and renewable HVO diesel, and it is a big step forward for the Positive Motion transformation strategy of the company.