Hydrogen corridor between Northern and Southern Europe launches

The energy company Cepsa and the Port of Rotterdam Authority have signed a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of the first green hydrogen corridor between Southern and Northern Europe. It aims to ensure a supply chain for green hydrogen between two of Europe's most important ports, Rotterdam and Algeciras. The collaboration is part of the Port of Rotterdam Authority's effort to supply Northwestern Europe with 4.6 million tons of green hydrogen by 2030.

Production capacity of 2 GW aimed

The green hydrogen is to be produced by electrolysis in the Cepsa Energy Park San Roque near the Bay of Algeciras. It will then be exported to Rotterdam in the form of hydrogen carriers like ammonia or methanol. Europe's most important energy port already handles 13% of Europe's energy needs. Algeciras is the most significant port in Spain, the fourth largest in Europe, and is situated on an important trade route between Europe and Asia.

The project is to be implemented by 2027. Cepsa also intends to develop a comparable supply chain from its La Rabida Energy Park in Huelva. The energy company aims to be a leader in green hydrogen production in Spain and Portugal by 2030 with a production capacity of 2 GW – half of the current target of the Spanish government. To generate the renewable energy required for production, Cepsa is building a portfolio of wind and solar projects with a capacity of 7 GW. Simultaneously, the company plans to collaborate with other renewable energy producers in Andalusia to advance the integration of these new plants into the power system.

Northwestern Europe consumes much more energy than it can produce sustainably. Therefore, we are establishing several trade routes for green hydrogen together with exporting countries and private companies around the world. We expect about 20 million tons of hydrogen to flow through the port in 2050. Only 2 million tons of this is likely to be produced locally. (Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority)

4.6 million tons of hydrogen for Northwestern Europe

Hydrogen is a focus of Rotterdam's energy transition plans. The port authority is working on the development of infrastructure and facilities for hydrogen supply. In collaboration with exporting countries and the companies active in the port, 4.6 million tons of hydrogen can be delivered to Northwestern Europe annually by 2030, equivalent to a CO₂-reduction of 46 million tons.