Ecological Transition grants 100 million in aid to large electrolyser projects for the production of renewable hydrogen

The Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has granted 100 million euros in aid to innovative projects to build large electrolysers for the production of renewable hydrogen, corresponding to Line 3 of the H2 Value Chain Programme, whose final resolution, published today, is available here. The programme is included in the Strategic Project for the Reconstruction and Economic Transformation of Renewable Energy, Renewable Hydrogen and Storage (PERTE ERHA) and aims to foster both the development of electrolysis demonstrators and initiatives for the actual integration of high-capacity electrolysers in industrial environments.

Managed by the Instituto para la Diversificación y el Ahorro de la Energía (IDAE), an agency of the MITECO, the programme has awarded grants of 10 and 15 million to seven projects in five autonomous communities: Andalusia (3), Valencia, Asturias, Galicia and Castile-La Mancha. A total of 60 million have been allocated to initiatives in Just Transition and Demographic Challenge regions, such as the areas around the former thermal power plants of Carboneras (Almeria), Meirama (A Coruña), or the thermoelectric complex of Aboño (Asturias), among others.

Factors such as emissions reduction, job creation and gender equality have been taken into account in the decision. The selected projects are obliged to respect the guiding principle of "no significant harm to the environment".

MITECO is making progress in promoting the production and use of this energy vector, both in projects with commercial viability and its integration in sectors that are difficult to decarbonise, such as industry and heavy mobility, and in industrial research and the development of innovative solutions in experimental environments. Line 4 of the H2 Value Chain programme will soon be closed, with 40 million to promote basic research, and the second H2 Pioneers call for proposals has just been launched, with 150 million for innovative and integrated initiatives for local production and consumption of renewable hydrogen.

Renewable H2: a country project

The subsidies governed by these calls are part of Component 9 'Renewable Hydrogen Roadmap and its sectoral integration' of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR), in particular its Investment 1: 'Renewable hydrogen: a country project'. These calls have a prominent role within PERTE ERHA, a comprehensive programme of instruments and measures to develop technology, knowledge, industrial capacities and new business models.

PERTE ERHA will mobilise an investment of more than 16.3 billion, between Recovery Plan contributions and private funds. In general, the financial support will be granted through competitive calls to select the best projects.

Furthermore, by deploying this aid mechanism, progress is being made towards achieving the objectives of the Hydrogen Roadmap a strategic document to promote renewable hydrogen. Among other objectives, the aim is to reach an electrolysis capacity of 300 MW to 600 MW in 2024 and 4 GW in 2030, 10% of the EU target, which demonstrates our country's ambition to be a key player in the European context.

Non official translation