ENGIE and Equinor have decided to sign a joint development agreement (JDA), in order to progress the 1 GW H2BE hydrogen project to the next development phase and further mature toward concept selection in 2023.
The feasibility study of the 1 GW H2BE hydrogen project, which assessed the technical and economic suitability of a potential location at Engie’s site at Rodenhuize in Ghent (Belgium), has been completed.
Last year, more than 20 potential hydrogen off-takers expressed interest in H2BE, which has also received letters of support from investment funds and authorities in Belgium.
In February 2021, ENGIE and Equinor announced an MoU to develop low carbon hydrogen projects together. Two companies moved forward and announced the H2BE project which aims to develop production of low-carbon hydrogen from natural gas in Belgium.
The H2BE project aims at producing hydrogen from natural gas using autothermal reforming (ATR) technology combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS).
The H2BE project also fits the Belgian and Flemish hydrogen strategies. Focused on renewable hydrogen, these also emphasize the key role of low-carbon hydrogen to reach decarbonization targets and to swiftly ramp-up a clean hydrogen market and infrastructure in the coming years.
