ENGIE and Equinor to produce hydrogen in Belgium with H2BE project

ENGIE and Equinor to produce hydrogen in Belgium with H2BE project


In February, energy groups ENGIE and Equinor announced an MoU to develop low carbon hydrogen projects together. Now, the two companies have announced the H2BE project, which aims to develop production of low-carbon hydrogen from natural gas in Belgium.

The H2BE project aims at producing hydrogen from natural gas using autothermal reforming (ATR) technology combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS).

The ATR technology allows for decarbonisation rates above 95 percent and for producing hydrogen at large (GW) scale at competitive cost levels. The captured CO2 is planned to be transported in liquid form and to be permanently and safely stored at a site in the sub-surface of the Norwegian North Sea.

ENGIE and Equinor will now launch a feasibility study to assess the technical and economic suitability of a site in the Ghent area. Commercial talks with potential hydrogen off takers, predominantly large, hard-to-abate industries, continue simultaneously.

Moreover, discussions are ongoing with North Sea Port on integration with port infrastructure. The H2BE project fits within Connect 2025, the recently published strategic plan of North Sea Port, by accelerating the transition towards carbon neutrality and the development of the required hydrogen and CO2 infrastructure.

Having necessary hydrogen and CO2 infrastructure in place are crucial elements for the success of the project. Therefore, ENGIE & Equinor joined forces with Fluxys, the independent gas transmission system operator in Belgium.

Making available substantial volumes to the market, the H2BE project would be a key building block for the open access hydrogen and CO2 infrastructure Fluxys Belgium is planning to develop to connect supply and demand across industrial clusters in Belgium and neighbouring countries.

The collaboration of the H2BE project with Fluxys will hence create synergies with other hydrogen and CO2 capturing projects, lowering the overall costs.

All partners aim to start operations well before 2030 in order to contribute to Belgium’s 2030 interim decarbonisation targets.

For more information visit www.engie.com

 

6th January 2022