Americans invest millions in Antwerp green hydrogen plant

On Wednesday, the American company PLUG Power announced its intention to build a factory in the port of Antwerp for the production of green hydrogen. The investment amounts to almost 300 million euros.

The green hydrogen plant will be built on the grounds of NextGen District, located on the former Opel site. Hydrogen production at the plant is set to start up as early as the end of 2024.

Flemish government leader Jan Jambon is currently in New York on an economic mission. A 30-year concession agreement with PLUG was signed there on Wednesday. “Hydrogen plays an important role in the energy transition and at the same time offers many economic and societal opportunities for Flanders”, the Flemish minister-president said. “Due to the strategic location of our ports and the expertise of our companies, research centers and educational institutions, we have all the assets to become the hydrogen hub of Western Europe.”

“Hydrogen plays an important role in the energy transition and at the same time offers many economic and societal opportunities for Flanders”

“Belgium is determined to play a pioneering role in the breakthrough of large-scale green hydrogen”, Belgium’s federeal minister of Energy Tinne Van der Straeten added. Belgium’s ‘Green hydrogen for a clean industry’ strategy is built on four pillars, Van der Straeten explained: “Positioning Belgium as an import and transit hub in Europe, becoming a leader in hydrogen, establishing a robust hydrogen market, and investing in cooperation as a key success factor.”

Plug Power leased 28 acres of land to build its 100-megawatt green hydrogen plant. The company plans to produce up to 12.500 tonnes of liquid and gaseous green hydrogen per year in Antwerp, destined for the European market. Construction of the plant is set to begin after completion of the permitting process in late 2023.

(BRV)

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