Shell Deutschland GmbH has made the final investment decision for REFHYNE II, a 100-megawatt (MW) H₂ electrolyzer with polymer electrolyte membrane technology (PEM) at Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rheinland. Using renewable electricity, REFHYNE II will produce up to 44,000 kilograms (kg) of renewable H₂ per day to partially decarbonize site operations. The plant is scheduled to go into operation in 2027.

The REFHYNE II project was made possible by supporting national and European measures, including the European Union's (EU) binding targets for the use of renewable H₂ in industry and transport and the German government's regulatory framework. The project is also funded by the EU's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program.

"Today's announcement is an important milestone in the implementation of our strategy to create more value with fewer emissions. The investment in REFHYNE II is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to the H₂ economy, which will help in important ways to decarbonize both our own operations and the products for our customers," said Huibert Vigeveno, Director of Downstream, Renewables and Energy Solutions at Shell. "Our investment decision shows what can be achieved with the right framework to realize competitive projects."

Renewable H₂ from REFHYNE II will be used at Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rheinland to produce energy products such as lower carbon intensity fuels. In the longer term, as customer demand develops, renewable H₂ from REFHYNE II could be supplied directly to reduce industrial emissions in the region.

The project benefits from the experience that Shell and its partners ITM and Linde have in developing, building and operating other renewable H₂ projects in Europe. For example, REFHYNE II builds on the success of the 10-MW PEM electrolyzer REFHYNE I, which was commissioned at Shell in the Rhineland in 2021 and uses the same technology. The detailed technical plans for the new project have been prepared since 2021, as well as all necessary earthworks and connection to the existing infrastructure.