Étape clé dans le développement de l'économie de l'hydrogène : première installation industrielle Power-to-Gas prévue dans notre pays à Zeebrugge

27 février 2020

Hyoffwind : toute première installation Power-to-Gas à échelle industrielle en Belgique
​ Eoly (filiale de Colruyt Group), Parkwind et Fluxys ont annoncé en 2018 une coopération pour donner un coup de pouce à la durabilité du paysage énergétique en Belgique. Par le biais du projet d'énergie verte Hyoffwind, les partenaires souhaitent construire une installation Power-to-Gas pour convertir de l'électricité renouvelable en hydrogène vert par électrolyse.

Hyoffwind has been set up as an industrial-scale installation (electrolysis of 25 MW of electricity), in line with the industrial projects that are being developed in neighbouring countries. This project aims at a scale-up for Belgium, and consequently making sure that our country is not missing out on the current evolutions. Zeebrugge would act as an energy hub, also having the potential as a logistics hub for hydrogen applications. It would be the first installation of such scale in Belgium. As a result, the price of renewable hydrogen could drop, which in turn could boost the applications that make use of this green hydrogen.

Feasibility study positive

In a first phase, with the support of the Federal Energy Transition Fund, the feasibility of the installation was further investigated - and the outcome is positive. The technology is mature enough to realise an industrialised production of green hydrogen, and the legislative framework and permits provide a sufficient basis to further build on the realisation of the project.

Broad cooperation increases chance of success

In order to be able to realise the project on time, the consortium is continuing to work with its own resources on - for example - the grid connection with Elia, the marketing of the green hydrogen, the sending out of the price request, the preparation of the permit file and the setting up of the legal entities. The financial feasibility of this innovative project in a burgeoning market will increase significantly if it is supported by a broad collaboration, and financial support, from other stakeholders in the context of energy policy.

François Van Leeuw, CEO Parkwind explains: "The participating companies are taking a business risk and are willing to go for it, and the feasibility of the project has been demonstrated. Due to its sustainable and innovative character, this project fits in the objectives of the Flemish Government on hydrogen and in the European Green Deal".

Today, the consortium is taking the next step and is tendering with various external parties to develop the project into a concrete reality. Current timing is to be able to take a final investment decision after this summer (after the tendering and contracting process) in order to be able to start the construction of the installation by mid 2021, after obtaining the necessary permits and authorizations. Based on the current planning, the first production is planned for early 2023.

Stephan Windels, Business Unit Manager of Eoly adds: "In order to meet the future demand for green hydrogen it is necessary to start now with the creation of the necessary conditions to create a positive business case for large-scale hydrogen plants. Therefore, the development of the renewable hydrogen economy needs to start now".

Towards a real hydrogen economy: our country as a pioneer

Green hydrogen can be transported and stored in the existing natural gas infrastructure, which, in the future, could enable the seasonal storage of renewable energy. At the same time, natural gas as energy for heating, mobility and industry will become more carbon efficient and thus more sustainable. In addition, green hydrogen can also be used as a carbon-free energy or raw material on its own, in mobility, logistics and industrial processes, for example in the chemical or steel industry. The realisation of Hyoffwind aims to create economic added value for the companies that are active throughout the hydrogen value chain (production - transport - off-take).

"We reach out to everyone who wants to help set a new course in making the energy landscape more sustainable," says Pascal De Buck, CEO of Fluxys. "With this project we can give the kick-start for local knowledge building on hydrogen and the hydrogen economy. We can develop applications here so that our country can play a meaningful role within 5-10 years. With our partners, we are convinced that our country can really become a leader for innovations in hydrogen".

Should you have questions, please contact:

Fluxys

Rudy Van Beurden
​ +32 2 282 72 30
​rudy.vanbeurden@fluxys.com

Laurent Remy +32 2 282 74 50
​laurent.remy@fluxys.com

Colruyt Group: Hanne Poppe +32 473 92 45 10
​Hanne.poppe@colruytgroup.com | press@colruytgroup.com

Parkwind: Eric Antoons
​ +32 483 45 30 37
​Eric.Antoons@Parkwind.eu

About Colruyt Group

Colruyt Group operates in the food and non-food distribution sector in Belgium, France and Luxembourg with approximately 570 own stores and 580 affiliated stores. In Belgium this includes Colruyt, OKay, Bio-Planet, Cru, Dreamland, Dreambaby and the affiliated stores Spar and Spar Compact. In France, in addition to Colruyt stores, there are also affiliated Coccinelle, Coccimarket and Panier Sympa stores. The group is also actively involved in the foodservice business (supply of food products to hospitals, company canteens and catering businesses) in Belgium (Solucious). The other activities comprise the sale of fuel in Belgium (DATS 24), printing and document management solutions (Symeta) and the production of green energy (Eoly). The group employs over 29.900 employees and recorded a EUR 9,4 billion revenue in 2018/19. Colruyt is listed on NYSE Euronext Brussels (COLR) under ISIN code BE0974256852.

About Parkwind

Parkwind is responsible for the development, tendering, financing, construction and operation of offshore wind farms in which it is itself a shareholder. Parkwind N.V. was founded in 2012 from the conviction that wind energy is the key to a sustainable future. We want to create scale, and accelerate the green energy policy by developing offshore wind energy projects, something we have learned to do in our unique 360° approach. Parkwind currently operates 552 MW of offshore production capacity, and with the 4° wind farm under construction, another 219 MW will be added before this summer. With projects in Germany and Ireland, Parkwind's production capacity under management is increasing above 1,000 MW.

About Fluxys

Fluxys is a fully independent gas infrastructure group headquartered in Belgium and employs 1,200 people in gas transmission, storage and terminalling of liquefied natural gas. With its affiliates across Europe, Fluxys operates 7,600 kilometres of natural gas pipelines and liquefied natural gas terminals with a combined annual throughput capacity of 29 billion cubic metres. One of Fluxys' subsidiaries is Fluxys Belgium (listed on Euronext), the owner and operator of the gas transmission, storage and terminalling infrastructure for liquefied natural gas in Belgium. As a purpose-driven company, Fluxys, together with its stakeholders, contributes to a better world by building a bright energy future. With the unique advantages of gas infrastructure and its commercial and technical expertise, Fluxys is committed to transporting hydrogen, biomethane or other carbon-neutral energy carriers of the future.