As the world contemplates the future of the energy market, interruptions in oil and gas supply have become a regular occurrence across the industry, forcing nations to consider new approaches like hydrogen. The renewable energy sector has grown well beyond expectations in recent years as more and more countries begin to understand the need to diversify their energy markets. In the sea of renewable energy possibilities, one stands head and shoulders above the rest: hydrogen. Now, Plug Power has shipped its initial electrolyzer unit to Galp’s new green hydrogen project in Sines.

Hydrogen has become the go-to clean energy resource around the world

For far too long, the world has stagnated in its embrace of the renewable energy sector. The generational reliance on oil and gas has led the climate into a devastating state, with environmental disasters becoming all too real across several nations all over the globe.

Now, the reality of the global energy sector is shifting as Plug Power, a market leader in developing electrolyzers for hydrogen projects, has announced the initial shipment of the electrolyzer unit for Galp’s 100 MW green hydrogen project in Sines.

The unit was safely delivered to Galp’s Sines Refinery, which has become the home of the largest proton exchange membrane (PEM) hydrogen electrolyzer project currently underway in Europe.

The first module is one of ten planned for delivery to the site by 2026, marking a new energy future for the European market as global sentiment towards the renewable energy sector shifts to reflect the state of the international energy market.

The unit will replace the older gray hydrogen production unit on site and could potentially reduce the Refinery’s greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 110,000 tons per year.

“Plug is building the next generation of industrial energy solutions, and our collaboration with Galp shows that large-scale hydrogen is ready today. This system will be a model for what’s possible across Europe’s refining sector and the broader energy industry.” – Andy Marsh, CEO, Plug Power

Decarbonizing the global energy industry has become a top priority for the world

It has become paramount for the nations of the world to decarbonize the energy market. Emissions of greenhouse gases have led to a troubling state of affairs as climate change unfolding across the world wreaks havoc.

Galp opted to construct the 100MW green hydrogen electrolysis unit at the Sines Refinery in September of 2023, and following a lengthy approval process, has finally received the first unit from Plug Power. Decarbonizing the refinery has immense potential to reshape the European energy market as the continent edges ever closer to its clean energy targets by the end of the decade.

“Half of all grey hydrogen demand sits today in refineries and chemical plants. With our first 100 MW, we will have started the decarbonisation of our Sines refinery. It’s a decisive first step for Galp, but also for the industry.” – Ronald Doesburg, Galp’s EVP in charge of the Industrial business unit

Europe’s proclivity for the renewable energy sector has become evident in recent years through the substantial hydrogen projects underway, including the Repsol renewable hydrogen facility in Cartagena, Spain.

Hydrogen has been receiving massive investments all over the world

Europe’s evident love for the hydrogen sector has led the region into a new world of decarbonization opportunities. Building on that renewed hope is the announcement that Hyundai has begun construction of a hydrogen and electrolyzer in South Korea. The new electrolyzer delivered to Galp by Plug Power can deliver vast amounts of hydrogen for the company and establishes a new framework for the European hydrogen industry. Love it or hate it, hydrogen is fast becoming the go-to energy resource.