NatPower H, part of the NatPower Group and Hydrocell, an innovator in the field of renewable energy which produces control units for H₂-powered and electric propulsion systems, have signed an agreement for the supply of H₂ to be used as a propellant for zero-emission boats.

The contract covers the supply of approximately 4.5 t of H₂ over 3 years from one of the stations to be installed by NatPower H or in mobile mode. The H₂ will be used for the propulsion of Hydrocell’s light passenger transport vessel “Nobody’s Perfect”, a retrofitted 17-meter fishing vessel built in Bordeaux in 1978, which will host the first H₂ engine (its 10 kg-capacity fuel tank allowing for 30 hours of sailing) managed by a control unit designed by Hydrocell. Refueling operations will begin during the testing phase of the craft and continue into the operational phase.

“This is an important contract for the boating industry and for NatPower H, consolidating our commitment and knowledge as a vital player in the decarbonization of boating,” said Andrea Minerdo, CEO of NatPower H. “Today H₂ strengthens its position as a fuel of the future, as it begins the transition from an experimental propellant to one that is commercially-available to all.”

“The agreement with NatPower H is a concrete sign of the desire to push towards the use of renewable, easily-accessible energy sources like H₂ in order to build a better future for everyone,” said Karl Manfredi, CEO of Hydrocell. “For us, H₂ is one of the keys to a more sustainable planet: we have therefore combined our wealth of varied experience in the sector in order to make our contribution. Thanks to NatPower H we are able to add another piece to a project of crucial importance to us – the retrofitting of “Nobody’s Perfect”.