With sizeable placements of its pressurized alkaline electrolyzers recently in Spain and Finland, German electrolyzer company Sunfire is rapidly spreading its technology across major installations in Europe.
Marking its entry into the Spanish market, the Dresden-based company is delivering a 10 megawatt electrolyzer at the port of Bilbao to Basque Hydrogen, a consortium led by Petronor, which is a subsidiary of Repsol. The project is being done in collaboration with Enagas Renovable, a pioneering company in the development of renewable gas production projects, and the Ente Vasco de la Energía, the energy agency of the Basque Government. Repsol, Spain’s leading hydrogen producer and consumer, will use the plant to produce green hydrogen to power a nearby e-fuel plant.
For this project, the Repsol-led consortium has chosen Sunfire’s established pressurized alkaline technology. In summer 2024, Sunfire secured a significant triple-digit megawatt order from RWE utilizing the technology.
“Sunfire is an established partner for the realization of green hydrogen projects and plays a key role in the decarbonization of the industry. We are excited to have gained with Repsol another global energy company as partner,” said Nils Aldag, CEO of Sunfire.
Maribel Rodriguez Olmo, Hydrogen Director of Repsol, commented: “At Repsol, we are committed to forming the best alliances, such as with Sunfire, to attract part of the hydrogen value chain to Spain, not only as a production hub but also to boost industry and industrial employment in the country.”
The plant is scheduled to go into operation in 2026. The 10 MW plant can produce up to 200 kilograms of green hydrogen per hour using electricity from renewable sources. Repsol will then use this hydrogen to produce synthetic fuels (e-fuels) which it sees a potential solution for decarbonizing sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as aviation and heavy transportation.
Emerging as a leading location for the production of green hydrogen, Spain recently increased its target for green hydrogen production capacity as part of its updated energy plan. “Spain is a very exciting market for us!,” exclaims Aldag. “The country offers strong conditions for green hydrogen projects with its geographic location and industrial expertise.”
Bilbao is also considered a key location in the Basque Country-region, where numerous companies and research centers are working on hydrogen projects. For Repsol, the Spanish port city is a crucial hub in its commitment to decarbonization, aiming to achieve the goal of zero net emissions by 2050. “Repsol has one of the most consolidated renewable hydrogen strategies in Europe and has renewable hydrogen as one of its main transformation lines to achieve its goal of being a zero net emissions company by 2050,” noted Olmo.
Key player in Finland’s first industrial green hydrogen facility
Sunfire joined P2X Solutions and Finland’s President Alexander Stubb in celebrating the launch of Finland’s first industrial green hydrogen facility in Harjavalta in March. A key component of the plant is Sunfire’s 20 MW pressurized alkaline electrolyzer.
The launch of commercial hydrogen production is considered as important milestone for both Finland and Europe’s hydrogen economy. Herkko Plit, CEO of P2X Solutions, emphasized: “Finland is in a great position to become a superpower in clean hydrogen and its derivative fuels. I want to thank our team and all our partners for this historical achievement. After this moment it is good to continue our pioneering mission to expand hydrogen economy in Finland with further production units.“
“Finland has everything it takes to become a clean energy superpower,” stated Alexander Stubb, President of the Republic of Finland, in the inauguration event, recognizing the project’s pioneering efforts: “Here in Harjavalta, you did not wait for change, you have made it happen.”
Sunfire CEO Aldag congratulated the project team: “A Finnish goosebump moment for Europe – congratulations to P2X Solutions on launching Finland’s first commercial hydrogen production! We are proud to contribute to this historic milestone with our electrolyzers from Dresden. A true lighthouse project for green hydrogen – Made in Europe!”
Finland understands the hydrogen economy as a significant national growth opportunity. By the mid-2030’s, Finnish hydrogen economy has the potential to create over 115,000 new jobs and correspond as much as 13% of gross domestic product. The country is emerging as a leading location for the production of green hydrogen, aiming to produce at least ten percent of the EU’s hydrogen in 2030. In addition to P2X Solutions, the Finnish project developer Ren-Gas has selected Sunfire’s technology for a 50MW plant in Tampere.
100MW electrolyzer for RWE site in Germany
Sunfire is also supplying an industrial 100 MW electrolyzer for Germany-based energy company RWE at its site in Lingen which is the largest hydrogen project to date by the international energy utility. For the order, Sunfire will supply RWE with a total of 10 modules, each with a 10 MW capacity. The electrolyzer will thus contribute one-third of the total production capacity of RWE’s 300 MW plant. In addition, Sunfire will be responsible for the installation and commissioning of the 100 MW electrolyzer, which is scheduled to go into operation by the end of 2027. The plant will then produce up to two tons of green hydrogen per hour, primarily for industrial customers in Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Sunfire also makes solid oxide electrolyzers (SOEC). Using low-pressure steam (> 150° C) and operating at high temperatures (~ 800° C), they are highly efficient. About 25-30% higher efficiency than low-temperature electrolysis, SOEC systems are typically paired with high-temperature heat sources like industrial waste heat or nuclear reactors. For more info, see www.sunfire.de.
