The Port of Corpus Christi Authority revealed plans to develop renewable energy infrastructure and support the production of green hydrogen and optionality to provide renewable power.
To achieve this, the port announced it has entered into a MoU with funds managed by the Infrastructure and Power strategy of Ares Management Corporation (“Ares”). The MoU outlines preliminary provisions for a renewable energy and clean fuel hub that will be comprised of solar facilities, battery storage facilities and electrolyzer facilities to be located on Port-owned property.
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As informed, the first set of facilities will be made up of an up to ~210MW solar project and an up to 840MWh battery storage facility, which will be capable of powering an electrolyzer facility to produce ~9,000 MT of green hydrogen per year, with the possibility of expanding the facilities over time, including for the optionality of providing renewable power directly to the port’s operations.
The move comes amid a growing interest across the industry on green hydrogen and as electrolysis is gaining traction as part of the energy transition. Blue hydrogen is produced from fossil sources, with carbon capture and storage (CCS), while green hydrogen is produced by passing an electric current — generated from a renewable energy source — through water (a process known as electrolysis) without any emissions.
The hydrogen produced is a clean fuel that can be used in existing high carbon intensity industries and processes, such as refining, ammonia and fertilizer productions, and thermal power generation. It also has the potential to be instrumental in difficult-to-decarbonize industries, such as steel and cement production.
As the Energy Port of the Americas, we are working to find new ways to operationalize our commitment to decarbonization. This project not only brings a new type of economic activity to our gateway, but it will directly meet the needs of our current customers, many of whom use hydrogen in their production processes,
…said Sean Strawbridge, Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Corpus Christi.
Even as we continue to actively invest in our traditional, hydrocarbon-based business, we are embracing our role in supporting energy production from diverse sources. For the past three years, the Port of Corpus Christi has purchased 100% of its electricity from renewable sources,
…said Charles W. Zahn, Chairman of the Port of Corpus Christi Commission.