Siemens Energy and Air Liquide have jointly entered into a project to create the series production of industrial scale renewable hydrogen electrolysers in Europe. This aims to enable the emergence of a sustainable hydrogen economy and foster a European ecosystem for electrolysis and hydrogen technology. Production is expected to begin in the second half of 2023, and ramp up to an annual production capacity of 3GW by 2025. Air Liquide will take 25.1 %, and Siemens Energy will hold 74.9 % of the joint venture. The creation of the JV, which will be headquartered in Berlin, will be subject to approval of the competent authorities.
The joint venture multi-gigawatt factory that produces electrolysis modules (“stacks”) would be also located in Berlin, and will supply proton exchange membrane (PEM) stacks to both partner companies for their respective broad range of customers and to serve the rapidly growing market.
In addition, Air Liquide and Siemens Energy have agreed to dedicate R&D capacities to the co-development of the next generation of electrolyser technologies within the framework of the partnership.
One of the JV’s earliest projects is the Air Liquide Normand’Hy electrolyser unit, with a capacity of 200 MW expected in its first phase, located in Normandy, France.
François Jackow, CEO of Air Liquide, commented: “The creation of this Franco-German joint venture is a major step towards the emergence of a leading European renewable and low-carbon hydrogen ecosystem. By scaling up the production of large scale electrolysers, Air Liquide and Siemens Energy will be able to provide their customers with access to large amounts of competitive renewable hydrogen and to decarbonise their activities.”
The partners have, and will apply for, ‘large projects’ funding under the EU’s Innovation Fund, Green Deal, and Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI)-scheme for hydrogen.
