- Hydrogen will play a significant role in the reduction of CO2 emissions. In order for this technology to unfold its full potential, it is essential to build up production capacities in a timely manner.
According to the company’s website press release on April 14, 2023, in the heart of Europe’s largest port, Onyx Power plans to build a plant for the production of low-carbon blue hydrogen (autothermal reformer). With a capacity of 1,200 MW, the ATR could produce ~300 kilotons of blue hydrogen per year on an industrial scale, which is urgently needed to reduce CO2 emissions from industry.
To develop this project, Onyx Power announced to the responsible regulatory authority (DCMR) that it would conduct an environmental impact assessment in accordance with the Environmental Management Act and the Environmental Impact Assessment Decree. As part of this process, the company has published a “Notitie Reikwijdte en Detailniveau (NRD)” which describes the intended scope of the environmental impact assessment.
Affordable hydrogen for many consumers
The plant could be commissioned by 2028 and would be located next to the existing Onyx power plant on the Maasvlakte. The location offers unique conditions for a timely and cost-effective start of blue hydrogen production. For example, the location is near existing infrastructure and key players across the entire value chain are in close proximity to the site.
Significant reduction of CO2 emissions
The project contributes to emission reductions of the largest industrial natural gas users and emitters of CO2 in the Netherlands and Germany, such as gas-fired power plants, as well as chemical and steel producers. The production of ~300 kilotons per year of low-CO2 blue hydrogen could save 2.5 million tons of CO2 per year by using CO2 capture and storage (CCS).
Blue hydrogen necessary bridge technology
Blue hydrogen is a necessary step to rapidly reduce CO2 emissions from energy-intensive industries. Until green hydrogen is available in large quantities at a competitive price, blue hydrogen can meet the demand for carbon-free hydrogen. Using the same infrastructure and production technologies, industries can gradually transition from blue to green hydrogen as the energy transition progresses. This way, blue hydrogen contributes to the rollout of green hydrogen.
