• The companies are currently working together on three initiatives aimed at decarbonising the industrial and transport sectors in different parts of Spain
• These are strategic green hydrogen projects that aim to reduce emissions from sectors that are difficult to electrify
• The three initiatives would mean a reduction of CO2 emissions by a total of more than one million tonnes per year
Enagás and Navantia have signed a partnership agreement to promote green hydrogen development projects on a national scale. The two companies are currently working together on three projects, located in different parts of the country, aimed at reducing emissions in sectors that are difficult to electrify.
The rationale for these projects is to help to decarbonise industry and the transport sector (land and maritime), and to adopt a fair and inclusive approach to the Ecological Transition. The projects will also help create direct and indirect jobs throughout Spain.
Summary of projects
GIGAFACTORY, candidate for IPCEI
Enagás and Navantia, together with other Spanish industrial partners, are proposing to build a large-scale, high-power electrolyser design and manufacturing plant to generate green hydrogen. This would be the first facility of its kind in Spain, and it would have a total production capacity of more than 1GW/year.
This project, called 'GIGAFACTORY', is part of the global Green Crane initiative and has been submitted to the European Commission as a candidate for an Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI). The idea is for Spain to have its own electrolyser manufacturing plant to meet future demand, and to position itself as a producer of technology and green hydrogen, as well as a potential exporter of this renewable energy to other countries. In this project, Navantia will be able to draw on its experience, and use its capabilities and facilities, such as those offered by its Turbine factory in Ferrol.
The 'GIGAFACTORY' will involve the development of a plant for the manufacture of high-capacity electrolysers (power equal to or greater than 20MW, from modules of 5MW each). Methods and production lines, combined with innovative technology and processes, will be applied in the design and manufacturing processes to maximise the plant's efficiency. This will optimise both the costs of production and acquisition of the green hydrogen produced.
It is estimated that the electrolysers manufactured at the plant will be able to avoid around 736,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Green hydrogen project in Murcia
Enagás and Navantia, together with other industrial partners, are also promoting a study to develop the largest renewable hydrogen project in the region of Murcia, taking advantage of the two companies' capabilities and operational presence in the city of Cartagena and the Escombreras Valley. At the end of 2020, the partners in the initiative submitted it to the expression of interest regarding renewable hydrogen of the Ministry for Energy Transition and the Demographic Challenge.
The green hydrogen produced can be used to decarbonise power generation, transport and industry in the area; more specifically, as a fuel for land and maritime mobility, in different applications within the Port of Cartagena, or to reduce emissions from the industries established in the Escombreras valley, such as petrochemicals. Navantia will motorise vessels for port use powered by hydrogen. To do so it will draw on its vast experience in the development of fuel cell propulsion systems used in submarines, as well as in the development of hydrogen engines at its Cartagena factory.
This project is expected to produce 25,000 tons of green hydrogen per year, which will avoid up to 272,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year in the region.
Canary Islands Renewable Hydrogen Cluster-Hub
Navantia and Enagás are also taking part in the “Canary Islands Renewable Hydrogen Cluster-Hub” project, which is designed to help bring about the gradual decarbonisation of the Canary Islands. It currently has the backing of 20 public and private entities, including Navantia and Enagás, and aims to obtain public co-financing through the European Next Generation funds.
In this project, green hydrogen would be produced in two plants, in Tenerife and Gran Canaria. The proposed infrastructure —in the first phase— will have a production capacity of approximately 1,000 tons of green hydrogen per year. Ultimately, it will be available for use across the board to decarbonise various sectors of activity, such as energy, industry, mobility and the service sector. Overall, it is estimated that 10,400 tons of CO2 emissions will be avoided.
The project will make considerable headway in improving air quality thanks to the gradually increasing use of green hydrogen in ships, with Navantia's participation in the motorisation of port vessels in the field of maritime transport.
A common strategy
In the words of Enagás Chairman Antonio Llardén, “Enagás is firmly committed to sustainability and decarbonisation. These green hydrogen projects with Navantia are an example of collaboration, job creation and promotion of a fair transition, which also covers the entire value chain, and as such they can become projects which other European countries seek to emulate”.
“Navantia, as a public industrial company and a driver of economic activity and employment, wants to contribute to the development of a technology that will be key to sustainable growth. Green energies are a pivotal part of our Strategic Plan. In the area of green hydrogen, we are able to fully harness our R&D capabilities both for its generation and its use in naval propulsion”, said Navantia's chairman, Ricardo Domínguez.
