The feasibility study of the 1 GW H2BE hydrogen project, which assessed the technical and economic suitability of a potential location at Engie’s site at Rodenhuize in Ghent (Belgium), has been completed.

ENGIE and Equinor have decided to sign a joint development agreement (JDA), progress H2BE to the next development phase and further mature towards concept selection in 2023.

Last year, more than 20 potential hydrogen off-takers expressed interest in H2BE, which has also received letters of support from investment funds and authorities in Belgium.

The H2BE project fits well the Belgian and Flemish hydrogen strategies. Focused on renewable hydrogen, these also emphasize the key role of low-carbon hydrogen to reach decarbonization targets and to swiftly ramp-up a clean hydrogen market and infrastructure in the coming years.

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.

KeyFacts Energy: Hydrogen news