TotalEnergies and Air Liquide Partner to Decarbonize Northern European Refineries with Green Hydrogen
A Major Step Towards Industrial Decarbonization
In a significant move towards reducing industrial carbon emissions, TotalEnergies has announced a strategic partnership with Air Liquide to decarbonize its hydrogen consumption at refineries in Northern Europe. This collaboration aligns with TotalEnergies’ ambitious 2030 goal of replacing traditional, carbon-intensive hydrogen with green hydrogen, marking a major advancement in the European energy transition.
The two companies have signed agreements to develop and operate two key projects in the Netherlands, focusing on green hydrogen production using renewable electricity. The projects will utilize power generated predominantly by the OranjeWind offshore wind farm, which is being developed through a joint venture between TotalEnergies (50%) and RWE (50%).
These initiatives are expected to significantly cut CO2 emissions from TotalEnergies’ refineries in Belgium and the Netherlands, reducing them by up to 450,000 tons annually. Additionally, these projects will contribute to Europe’s renewable energy and emissions reduction targets, particularly in the transport and industrial sectors.
The Scope of the Collaboration
Establishing a 250 MW Electrolyzer for Green Hydrogen Production
One of the key projects under this partnership involves constructing and operating a large-scale 250 MW electrolyzer near TotalEnergies’ Zeeland refinery. This electrolyzer, which will be managed through a joint venture equally held by TotalEnergies and Air Liquide, is expected to produce up to 30,000 tons of green hydrogen per year.
The project, slated for commissioning in 2029, is anticipated to cut CO2 emissions from the Zeeland refinery by up to 300,000 tons per year. The total investment in this initiative is estimated at approximately €600 million, with both companies actively seeking support from European and national subsidy programs to facilitate the funding process. Additional financial backing will also be pursued through other funding mechanisms.
Supplying Green Hydrogen to TotalEnergies’ Antwerp Platform
Beyond the Zeeland electrolyzer, the partnership includes an agreement under which Air Liquide’s 200 MW ELYgator electrolyzer, located in Maasvlakte (Netherlands), will allocate 130 MW of its capacity to TotalEnergies. This will allow for the production of an additional 15,000 tons of green hydrogen annually, which will be directed to TotalEnergies’ Antwerp platform.
Under this agreement, TotalEnergies will supply renewable electricity generated by the OranjeWind project to Air Liquide, which will then convert it into green hydrogen. The ELYgator project is expected to be operational by the end of 2027, leading to a reduction of CO2 emissions at the Antwerp site by up to 150,000 tons per year.
Advancing TotalEnergies’ Decarbonization Goals
This partnership builds upon previous collaborations between TotalEnergies and Air Liquide, reinforcing their joint commitment to industrial decarbonization. TotalEnergies has already signed agreements to supply its Normandy refinery with green hydrogen and has similar agreements in place for its Grandpuits and La Mède biorefineries in France.
By integrating offshore wind energy from its Dutch projects, TotalEnergies is leveraging its broader capabilities as an integrated electricity provider to further its decarbonization efforts. Vincent Stoquart, President of Refining & Chemicals at TotalEnergies, emphasized the significance of these projects, stating:
“Following the first partnership agreement with Air Liquide to supply the Normandy refinery with green hydrogen, and the agreements to supply the Grandpuits and La Mède biorefineries with renewable hydrogen, the partnership with Air Liquide takes on a new dimension and marks a new step in TotalEnergies’ ambition to decarbonize the hydrogen consumed by its refineries in Europe by 2030. By supplying these two electrolyzers with renewable electricity from our offshore wind project in the Netherlands, TotalEnergies is leveraging its positioning as an integrated electricity company.”
The Role of Air Liquide in Green Hydrogen Production
Air Liquide, a global leader in industrial gases and clean energy solutions, has been at the forefront of hydrogen innovation. The company is actively investing in multiple low-carbon hydrogen production projects across Europe, aiming to accelerate the transition to a cleaner energy landscape.
Emilie Mouren-Renouard, a member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee in charge of European operations, highlighted the strategic importance of this initiative:
“Flagship projects such as the ones we are announcing today will play a key role in reducing emissions, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors such as industry and heavy mobility. We are proud to lead the way in European renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production and to accompany TotalEnergies in their journey to decarbonizing their industrial assets. These two projects will complete the five Air Liquide low-carbon units already in operation or construction in Europe. This illustrates our capacity to offer concrete solutions to our customers, to reach our carbon neutrality ambition by 2050, and to support Europe’s leadership ambition towards decarbonized growth. It also demonstrates the ability of Air Liquide to develop solid business models in the energy field of low-carbon hydrogen.”
The Broader Implications for the Energy Sector
Supporting the European Green Deal
The TotalEnergies-Air Liquide partnership aligns with the European Union’s Green Deal objectives, which aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Hydrogen, particularly green hydrogen, is considered a cornerstone of the EU’s decarbonization strategy, especially for sectors where direct electrification is not feasible, such as heavy industry and long-haul transport.
Through these projects, TotalEnergies and Air Liquide are setting an example for how integrated energy solutions can drive the decarbonization of industrial processes. By investing in green hydrogen, they are contributing to the development of a sustainable hydrogen economy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and helping Europe transition to cleaner energy sources.
Strengthening Offshore Wind Utilization
The OranjeWind offshore wind farm is a critical component of this green hydrogen initiative. Offshore wind energy is increasingly being used as a primary renewable source for electrolyzers, helping to produce green hydrogen with zero carbon emissions. This integration highlights the growing synergy between offshore wind and hydrogen production, paving the way for future large-scale renewable projects.
Future Prospects and Expansion Plans
TotalEnergies has ambitious plans to further decarbonize its European refining operations. The company aims to replace all fossil-based hydrogen used in its refineries with green and low-carbon alternatives by 2030. To date, TotalEnergies has already secured contracts for over 170,000 tons of green hydrogen annually across multiple locations, including:
- La Mède, Grandpuits, and Normandy in France
- Leuna in Germany
- Refineries in Belgium and the Netherlands
These initiatives will collectively help reduce TotalEnergies’ annual CO2 emissions by approximately three million tons by the end of the decade.
