Green hydrogen production plant opened in Finland

P2X Solutions has launched commercial production of green hydrogen at its plant in Harjavalta in southwestern Finland. The 20 MWt facility is the first of its kind in the country.

Hydrogen plays a key role in the European Green Deal and the REPowerEU plan. However, to truly contribute to the decarbonization of the energy system, it must be produced using renewable energy sources alone.

Green hydrogen is obtained through electrolysis, a process in which electricity from renewable sources is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Such hydrogen is classified as a renewable fuel of non-biological origin (RFNBO).

For the European Union’s ambitious goal of making 10 million tons of green hydrogen per year by 2030, the European Commission estimates that 500 TWh to 550 TWh of renewable electricity would be required.

Although many European companies have canceled or put on hold their green hydrogen projects, Finland’s economy has taken a step forward and turned plans into reality, according to P2X Solutions CEO Herkko Plit.

The capacity of the Harjavalta plant is 20 MW. The complex includes a methanation plant for green methanol, which is yet to become operational.

P2X plans two more hydrogen facilities

“Finland is in a great position to develop into a superpower in clean hydrogen and its derivative electric fuels, and we hope that many projects will follow suit,” said Plit.

P2X Solutions plans to build two more hydrogen production facilities. The capacity in Joensuu would be 40 MW, while the facility in Oulu could reach up to 100 MW.

To secure sufficient renewable energy for hydrogen production in Harjavalta, P2X Solutions has signed a five-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Finnish company Fortum.

EU regulations mandate that renewable energy production and consumption for green hydrogen must be matched on a monthly basis until 2029, after which hourly matching will be required. The PPA agreement is valid until the end of 2029.