Plug Power will deliver containerized proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer systems to Avina Clean Hydrogen Inc. for a green H₂ production facility that will serve the commercial mobility sector in southern California. Plug’s electrolyzers will support the first H₂ production facility for heavy-duty trucks in Southern California. Plug has a right of first refusal to supply electrolyzers for Avina’s next H₂ production facility.

To help California reach its ambitious climate goals of slashing greenhouse gas emissions 85% by 2045, Avina will work with fleet operators and refueling station providers to provide green H₂ supplied by Plug’s electrolyzers.

Each of Plug’s electrolyzer units will enable Avina to produce up to 2 metric tpd of green H₂, or 730 metric tpy. Plug’s 5-MW turnkey electrolyzer is the largest available outdoor solution with the smallest footprint in the market, making it easier and more affordable to install than other solutions.

“Plug and Avina’s shared commitment to offset carbon emissions in hard-to-decarbonize sectors by deploying innovative green H₂ solutions at scale makes this partnership a perfect match,” said Sanjay Shrestha, CSO and General Manager of Energy Business for Plug. “Driven by our leading electrolyzer technology and unrivaled manufacturing capabilities, we look forward to working with such an agile partner like Avina to rapidly accelerate the clean energy transition in Southern California, a trend-setting market for alternative energies.”

The electrolyzers will be built using stacks manufactured at Plug’s state-of-the-art gigafactory in Rochester, N.Y., the world’s first and largest PEM fuel cell and electrolyzer manufacturing gigafactory. Delivery of the systems is expected in Q2 2024, and the production facility is anticipated to be fully operational in mid-2024.

“Avina is excited to work with Plug on this first-of-its-kind green H₂ project in Southern California, setting the foundation for a long-term partnership,” said Vishal Shah, founder and CEO, Avina Clean Hydrogen Inc. “By leveraging Plug Power’s proven, highly efficient, containerized PEM electrolyzer units, Avina is well positioned to provide a reliable source of green H₂ to commercial mobility and other markets in California.”