Hitachi ABB Power Grids (Zurich, Switzerland) and P2X Solutions Oy (Helsinki, Finland), a producer of green hydrogen and a pioneer in power-to-x technology, have signed partnership agreement to electrify a 20-megawatt (MW) hydrogen production plant. When completed, the plant will produce green hydrogen with electricity produced from renewable energy.
Under the partnership agreement, Hitachi ABB Power Grids will be a partner of P2X Solutions in the design, implementation and commissioning of the electrification of the hydrogen production plant. The purpose of the project is to build Finland’s first industrial-scale green hydrogen production plant. Hitachi ABB Power Grids is responsible for power system solutions from the power grid to the electrolysis equipment, including the substation, medium voltage distribution, main, distribution and rectifier transformers, rectifiers, power quality optimization systems and the necessary control and protection systems.
“It is great to become a partner in such an important Finnish pioneering project to promote Finland’s and the world’s journey towards an emission-free electric future. Electricity is a key factor in the production of green hydrogen, and a cost-effective and high-efficiency electrification solution is central to competitive hydrogen production on an industrial scale. The ongoing global energy revolution requires the introduction of new technology and world-class know-how. Finnish industry has all the prerequisites to be a pioneer in a greener electric future, of which this project is an excellent example”, says Matti Vaattovaara, CEO of Hitachi ABB Power Grids in Finland.
The investment of the first pilot plant is approximately EUR 50 million. Significant cost benefits are achieved with a plant size of 20 megawatts. Once the first large-scale green hydrogen production plant has been demonstrated, P2X’s goal is to promote the Finnish hydrogen economy with more production plants and possibly replicate the projects in Europe as well.
“The partnership agreement with Hitachi ABB Power Grids is an important step in the development of the hydrogen production plant. The contract is also significant in relation to the total value of the investment. This is a great example of how individual hydrogen projects contribute to building the hydrogen market and create competitiveness for Finnish industry on the road to a zero-emission future and an international hydrogen economy”, says Herkko Plit, CEO of P2X Solutions.
The development of the hydrogen production plant is progressing according to plan. A preliminary survey of the plant’s locations was completed in February 2021 and implementation is currently being planned. In February 2021, P2X Solutions submitted an application for investment support for the project to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in Finland. The plant is expected to be operational during 2024.