Axpo announced it is joining a large-scale green H₂ project in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Using existing industrial facilities in Corfinio, Axpo is partnering with Infinite Green Energy (IGE), which initiated the project, to deliver up to 12 tpd of H₂ to help decarbonize customers’ operations in so-called hard-to-abate industrial and transportation sectors. The project includes a 30-MW electrolyzer powered by a 45-MWp solar plant, making it one of the largest H₂ plants in Italy.

Axpo and Australian renewable H₂ company IGE have signed a joint development agreement (JDA) for the Valle Peligna H₂ Project in Abruzzo. The JDA outlines the strategic partnership, advanced design and investment in the plant, which will contribute to the decarbonization of industries in the Corfinio municipality. As one of the biggest commercial-scale green H₂ facilities in Italy, the plant will supply green H₂ to customers in the industrial and transportation sectors. The facility will also provide green electricity to the local grid by the second half of 2025.

Head of H₂ at Axpo, Guy Bühler said, “We are delighted to be collaborating with IGE on this exciting project. The production of green H₂ will play an important role in accelerating the energy transition, which is at the heart of Axpo’s business strategy, creating opportunities for people and businesses.”

IGE CEO, Stephen Gauld said, “Partnering with an international energy company like Axpo will continue to build the confidence of our shareholders and strategic partners. The partnership highlights IGE’s commitment not just to fighting climate change, but also delivering a sustainable energy future, creating new jobs in our local communities which will benefit from green energy production.”

IGE is already in discussion with H₂ truck manufacturers regarding the fuel’s transportation applications. The Valle Peligna project will see an initial offtake by Etex, one of Europe’s leading suppliers of gypsum products. The delivery of green electricity to power the production lines in its factories will also help the manufacturer achieve its goal of replacing the use of natural gas with H₂. Overall, IGE estimates an annual CO₂ emission saving from the project of around 67,000 tpy, including those from hard-to-abate industries.

The Valle Peligna H₂ Project's 30-MW electrolyzer can produce up to 4,200 tpy of H₂, representing a saving of around 18-MM liters of diesel fuel. Since IGE launched the project 18 months ago, local authorities have named the area H₂ Valley.

The development could also include a H₂ refueling station. Future expansion across the European Union’s Trans-European Transport Network, on which H₂ stations must be located every 200 kilometers by 2030, is also a possibility.