Enapter AG is expanding its strong market position as a leading company in the field of AEM technology with further sales successes in Italy, one of the fastest growing H₂ markets in Europe. After Enapter received two orders for a total of four AEM Nexus from Italy in the first quarter of 2024 (see Corporate News of 26 March 2024), Cogne Acciai Speciali SpA, a manufacturer of stainless steel and nickel alloys long products for various sectors such as automotive, oil and gas, chemicals and aviation, has now ordered a 1-megawatt (MW) electrolyzer from Enapter.

This AEM Nexus 1000 multicore electrolyzer will be operated at the Cogne plant in the Aosta Valley using solar and hydropower. Cogne plans to use the H₂ produced on site for processing heat applications in particular, to further decarbonize its production processes.

In addition, Sangraf International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sanergy Group Limited, has ordered two Enapter AEM Nexus electrolyzers with a total capacity of 1.5 MW. Sangraf is a manufacturer of graphite electrodes for smelting processes in the steel, iron and non-ferrous metals industries and is working on a solution for the local production of green H₂.

With the aim of reducing the proportion of natural gas in its production processes by 10%, Sangraf is currently building its own H₂ production facility with a connected 2.6 MWp photovoltaic system at its plant in the municipality of Narni. This project is part of its parent group’s initiatives supporting the decarbonization of the steelmaking and new energy industries, and it is committed to creating an efficient and sustainable path to a net-zero future.

The Aosta Valley and the municipality of Narni are among the 52 state-subsidized H₂ valleys being created throughout Italy. According to the latest orders received, Enapter has already received orders for a total of seven AEM Nexus electrolyzers with a total output of 6.5 MW for various H₂ valley projects in Italy.

The Italian government is driving forward the use of H₂ in numerous applications with great momentum. Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) provides for total investment in the development of the H₂ supply chain of around €3.6 B, of which €500 MM is earmarked for the creation of H₂ valleys. Projects for the production of green H₂ have already been launched in several regions, including the construction of H₂ routes and H₂ production plants as well as H₂ filling stations.

The establishment of nationwide H₂ infrastructure in Italy opens up significant sales potential and further growth opportunities for Enapter. With the AEM Nexus 1000, the company offers a highly efficient electrolyzer on an industrial scale that is characterized by a very high level of flexibility in combination with fluctuating renewable energies. Enapter is currently in advanced discussions with various companies and regions and is confident that it will soon be able to announce the conclusion of new agreements for the establishment of green H₂ production in Italy.

Jürgen Laakmann, CEO of Enapter said, “The demand for our AEM electrolyzers and therefore our growth momentum is steadily increasing. Industrial companies, infrastructure service providers as well as countries and regions are increasingly focusing on energy self-sufficiency and the decentralized production of green H₂. Above all, the high flexibility in combination with solar and wind energy and the absence of expensive iridium speak in favor of our patented AEM technology. These advantages are leading to steadily growing market penetration. Our sales pipeline is full to bursting, especially in the megawatt range.”