Sunfire, a leading global electrolysis company, is delivering a 10-megawatt (MW) electrolyzer at the port of Bilbao to Basque Hydrogen, a consortium led by Petronor – a subsidiary of Repsol –  in collaboration with Enagás Renovable, a pioneering company in the development of renewable gas production projects, and the Ente Vasco de la Energía, the energy agency of the Basque Government. Repsol, Spain’s leading H₂ producer and consumer, will use the plant to produce green H₂ to power a nearby eFuel plant.

For this project, the Repsol-led consortium has chosen Sunfire’s established pressurized alkaline technology. In summer 2024, Sunfire secured a significant triple-digit megawatt order from RWE utilizing this technology. With the Spanish electrolysis project, Sunfire successfully continues its momentum, solidifying its role as a preferred partner for globally operating energy companies.

Nils Aldag, CEO of Sunfire, stated, “Sunfire is an established partner for the realization of green H₂ projects and plays a key role in the decarbonization of the industry. We are excited to have gained with Repsol another global energy company as partner.”

Maribel Rodriguez Olmo, H₂ Director of Repsol, comments: “At Repsol, we are committed to forming the best alliances, such as with Sunfire, to attract part of the H₂ value chain to Spain, not only as a production hub but also to boost industry and industrial employment in the country.”

The plant is scheduled to go into operation in 2026. The 10-MW plant can produce up to 200 kilograms of green H₂ per hour using electricity from renewable sources. Repsol will then use this H₂ to produce synthetic fuels (eFuels). eFuels are seen as a potential solution for decarbonizing sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as aviation and heavy transportation.

Spain as an attractive market for green H₂ production. With the electrolysis project in Bilbao, Sunfire is executing a project in Spain—a country emerging as a leading location for the production of green H₂. The Spanish government recently increased its target for green H₂ production capacity as part of its updated energy plan.

Nils Aldag, Sunfire CEO, emphasized, “Spain is a very exciting market for us. The country offers strong conditions for green H₂ projects with its geographic location and industrial expertise.”

Maribel Rodriguez Olmo, H₂ Director of Repsol, said, “Repsol has one of the most consolidated renewable H₂ strategies in Europe and has renewable H₂ as one of its main transformation lines to achieve its goal of being a zero net emissions company by 2050.”

Bilbao is also considered a key location in the Basque Country-region, where numerous companies and research centers are working on H₂ projects. For Repsol, the Spanish port city is a crucial hub in its commitment to decarbonization, aiming to achieve the goal of zero net emissions by 2050.