The production of green hydrogen has successfully begun at the Viscofan facilities in Cáseda (Navarra, Spain), a pioneering initiative in the energy transition of the Navarrese industry that is part of the H2OP project developed by the consortium formed by Viscofan, Nordex Electrolyzers, AIN and the startup URAPHEX, and that is also aligned with the Government of Navarra’s commitment to green hydrogen as a strategic energy vector for decarbonization and industrial competitiveness.
Thanks to the joint work of the four entities, both the 500 kW electrolyzer, designed, manufactured and assembled entirely in Spain by Nordex Electrolyzers, and the water treatment and recovery plant have been installed and commissioned, carrying out the integration with the boiler in a record time of 2 months.
This technology allows Viscofan to continuously produce the amount of 100 Nm3/h of hydrogen, reducing the CO2 emission into the atmosphere by 480,000 kg/year.
Íñigo Martínez, CEO of Viscofan Spain, points out that “the joint work in this pioneering initiative has made possible the production of green hydrogen in our facilities for use in boilers. A milestone that undoubtedly contributes to the future development of this sustainable energy vector in the industry and places Navarra as a benchmark for energy innovation and circularity.”
For his part, Luis Solla, CEO of Nordex Electrolyzers, adds: “We are very satisfied with the fast integration of the electrolyzer to the boiler feeding system, and the great coordination between the different actors in the project. Above all, we are proud to be part of an initiative like H2OP, a specific step towards the decarbonization of the industry through green hydrogen.”
In the words of the Regional Minister for Industry and for the Ecological and Digital Business Transition of the Government of Navarre, Mikel Irujo Amezaga, and also president of the public company SODENA:”This project represents a key industrial commitment for both our industry and the region. It is a pioneering initiative that marks a turning point for us. Navarre is once again stepping to the forefront in advancing energy sovereignty and decarbonization. In short, it is a milestone for our community, for the State, and for Europe.”
Along these lines, Regional Minister Irujo also highlighted that “to make this strategic initiative a reality, the project has received financial support from Sodena as a shareholder of Nordex Electrolyzers.”
Javier López, CEO of URAPHEX, highlights that “the launch of green hydrogen production at the Cáseda plant is a milestone that demonstrates the value of collaboration.” “URAPHEX is proud to have worked alongside companies of the caliber of Viscofan and Nordex Electrolyzers in a project that promotes the real deployment of green hydrogen in the industry. Our water management and circularity technology optimizes its use and recovery, reinforcing the sustainability of the process. Navarra thus once again demonstrates its ability to lead energy innovation,” he adds.
From AIN, Ana Ursúa, general director of the association, emphasizes that “in Navarra we have a solid industrial ecosystem with real capacity to lead the transition towards clean energies. The commissioning of this electrolyzer, developed by Nordex in Viscofan with the participation of Uraphex, demonstrates that collaboration between companies, technology centers and administration is key to accelerating decarbonization. At AIN we are proud to contribute to a project that marks a before and after in the adoption of green hydrogen by part of the industry.”
It should be remembered that the H2OP project is part of the 2024-2027 call for aid for strategic R&D projects of the Department of Industry and Ecological and Business Digital Transition of the Government of Navarra, within Challenge 2 AERO VIII, focused on the green energy industry. The project has funding of €838,428.98, provided by the Government of Navarra and the European Regional Development Fund.
Furthermore, the result achieved consolidates Navarra as a benchmark in energy innovation, demonstrating the existing potential of public-private collaboration to move towards a more sustainable industry.
Photo of Viscofan
Press release https://www.viscofan.com/news/new/200
