Green Hydrogen
Iberdrola: a pioneer in the development of green hydrogen
On our mission to lead the energy transition, Iberdrola is spearheading the development of green hydrogen with more than 50 projects in eight countries.
Iberdrola is leading the global development of green hydrogen with more than 50 projects – including green ammonia and green methanol – across eight countries in places such as Spain, the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil and the United States. The goal is to respond to the electrification and decarbonisation needs of sectors such as industry and heavy transport. We have created a new green hydrogen business unit within the company, with the aim of becoming the world leader in this technology. Our group is addressing the technological challenge of producing and supplying green hydrogen from clean energy sources, using a technology that will be competitive much sooner than expected, according to a report by UK consultancy Rethink Energy.
Green hydrogen, key to our energy transition strategy
15 October 2024
12 September 2024
Europe's largest green hydrogen plant for the production of zero-emissions fertilisers
Iberdrola's Puertollano (Ciudad Real) plant, located in Ciudad Real, consists of a 100 MW photovoltaic solar plant, a lithium-ion battery storage system with a capacity of 20 MWh, and one of the world's largest hydrogen-production systems via electrolysis (20 MW), all powered by 100% renewable sources.
The project, with an investment of €150 million, will create up to 1,000 jobs and avoid 48,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year.
Green hydrogen plant for industrial use
Europe's most ambitious innovation project to promote decarbonization of industrial sectors
100% renewable hydrogen for emission-free ammonia and fertilizer production
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Investment €150 M -
Local jobs 700 -
CO2 emissions avoided 39,000 tCO2/year
Distribution network
The surplus energy generated in the photovoltaic plant is fed into the distribution network for commercialization.
Green hydrogen production
Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis cells powered by both the energy generated by the photovoltaic plant and the battery energy storage system, in a process with no associated CO2 emissions and allowing the electrification of industrial sectors.
The production process is carried out with a polymer electrolysis system with a 20 MW power supply and a capacity to generate 360 kg/hour of hydrogen.
H2 tanks
The storage of green hydrogen is essential to guarantee the stability of supply required by the Fertiberia plant and to make efficient use of renewable energy production. A total of 11 tanks that allow the storage of 6,000 kg of green H2 at 60 bars.
Each tank has a volume of 133 m3 and dimensions of 23.5 m height and 2.8 m in diameter. They weigh 77 tonnes empty and are made of a special steel with a sheet thickness of 4.5 cm to contain hydrogen, given the small size of this particle.
Battery
The project includes a 5MW lithium-ion battery system, with a storage capacity of 20MWh, which allows for greater plant manageability and optimisation of control strategies.
Puertollano II photovoltaic plant
The new facility for the production of green H2 from 100% renewable sources consists of a solar photovoltaic plant with an installed capacity of 100 MW.
The installation incorporates state-of-the-art technologies, such as bifacial panels, which allow for higher production by having two light-sensitive surfaces, and string inverters, which improve performance and make better use of the surface area.
Underground power line
Dedicated underground power line for exclusive use to ensure that all energy used in the electrolyser is renewable and environmental impact is minimised.
Fertiberia Plant
The innovation project is an ambitious initiative to decarbonize a key industrial process, such as the manufacture of fertilizers, which will allow progress towards more sustainable agriculture.
The investment allows improvement of industrial processes, making them more sustainable through the production and consumption of green hydrogen without associated emissions and improving the performance of the processes involved.
Brazil
Agreement with Estado Rio Grande do Sul.
Agreement with Pernambuco authority to develop Green H2 in Puerto Suape.
Agreement with Prumo for the development of studies for the production of green hydrogen at Açu Port.
United States
Exploring and developing projects related to mobility & industry in 6 states.
Mexico
Working jointly in different projects with relevant industry players.
Spain
Puertollano green hydrogen plant.
Barcelona Hydrogen Plant (TMB).
United Kingdom
Agreement to build an H2 plant at the country's largest freight port, in Felixstowe.
Agreement between ScottishPower and Storegga to develop and build H2 projects in the Highlands.
Italy
Working jointly in different projects with relevant indusrtry players.
Framework agreement with AECOM, Ancitel Energia e Ambiente and Cinque International for the development of the project for the conversion to green hydrogen of the Apennine railway axis.
Portugal
Agreement with Cinca (ceramics) to provide green H2 to different industry processes.
Australia
Working on the commercial approach to provide green H2 to different industry applications.
Agreement with ABEL Energy to build one of the world's largest green hydrogen and green methanol production plants in Northern Tasmania
Brazil
Agreement with Estado Rio Grande do Sul.
Agreement with Pernambuco authority to develop Green H2 in Puerto Suape.
Agreement with Prumo for the development of studies for the production of green hydrogen at Açu Port.
Spain
Puertollano green hydrogen plant.
Barcelona Hydrogen Plant (TMB).
United Kingdom
Agreement to build an H2 plant at the country's largest freight port, in Felixstowe.
Agreement between ScottishPower and Storegga to develop and build H2 projects in the Highlands.
Italy
Working jointly in different projects with relevant indusrtry players.
Framework agreement with AECOM, Ancitel Energia e Ambiente and Cinque International for the development of the project for the conversion to green hydrogen of the Apennine railway axis.
Portugal
Agreement with Cinca (ceramics) to provide green H2 to different industry processes.
Australia
Working on the commercial approach to provide green H2 to different industry applications.
Agreement with ABEL Energy to build one of the world's largest green hydrogen and green methanol production plants in Northern Tasmania
Mexico
Working jointly in different projects with relevant industry players.
United States
Exploring and developing projects related to mobility & industry in 6 states.
An energy vector that will be competitive much sooner than expected
According to a report by the UK-based consultancy Rethink Energy, this new energy vector will be competitive by 2024. By then, the cost reduction is expected to exceed 95% compared to 2020 levels, which will increase global demand tenfold. As part of its goal to lead this new energy vector, Iberdrola Group has been a pioneer in making green hydrogen a reality, with projects focused on two main areas: industrial use and heavy transport.
"This is one of the most efficient solutions to help the most polluting industrial sectors transform their processes and become more sustainable. Thanks to the collaboration with pioneering and forward-looking companies, we have before us tangible examples of green hydrogen production that are already a reality."
Millán García-Tola
Iberdrola's Global H₂ Manager
More about green hydrogen
Green hydrogen: an alternative that reduces emissions and cares for our planet
At Iberdrola we have a mature project portfolio of 2,400 MW and expect to produce 350,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2030.
What is green hydrogen?
Green hydrogen: an alternative that reduces emissions and cares for our planet
At Iberdrola we have a mature project portfolio of 2,400 MW and expect to produce 350,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2030.
What is green hydrogen?