The Hyoffwind project is being developed by a consortium active across the entire energy value chain. The consortium, consisting of Virya Energy (generation and sale of renewable energy) and Fluxys (transmission of green molecules), aims to develop a power-to-gas facility that can convert renewable electricity into green hydrogen.
Green hydrogen is a crucial building block for a renewable energy economy, as it can be used as a raw material for industrial processes and for a variety of mobility applications. Hyoffwind will also contribute to the flexibility and balance of the energy system by providing an effective solution for the increased variability created as a result of renewable electricity production.
Fluxys and Virya Energy joined forces in 2018 to bolster the sustainability of the energy landscape in Belgium and Europe. The first phase of the planned project will consist of a facility that can convert 25 MW of electricity into green hydrogen, but the partners aim to scale this up to 100 MW in the second phase.
Following the outcome of the feasibility study, carried out with the support of the Federal Energy Transition Fund, a tender process was started involving multiple parties. In selecting John Cockerill and BESIX as technology partners and as partners for the design and the construction of the facility, the consortium has taken the next major step. The permit application process was begun in late 2021 and the consortium expects to receive a permit by mid-2022. The final investment decision, which is also subject to the granting of subsidies by the Flemish government under the recovery plan, will be made in the course of 2022.
Flemish Minister for Economy and Innovation Hilde Crevits has been supporting the project since 2020 because it dovetails perfectly with the Flemish hydrogen strategy. In fact, in 2020 the Flemish government awarded €8 million in strategic ecological aid to Hyoffwind. In addition, Minister Crevits will provide another €23 million under the Flemish recovery plan via the European call for IPCEIs, whose first series of projects must now be approved by the European Commission.
This pioneering project, combined with the development of hydrogen infrastructure, will make a major contribution to the Flemish, Belgian and European hydrogen strategy by taking a first step towards the development of Flanders and Belgium as a European green hydrogen hub.
Jean-Luc Maurange, CEO of John Cockerill: “With our partner BESIX, we are honoured to have been selected by Virya Energy and Fluxys for this landmark pioneer green hydrogen project. As the world-leading designer and manufacturer of high-capacity alkaline electrolysers, John Cockerill is fully committed towards the energy transition. With our rapidly growing team of hydrogen experts based in Belgium and France, we strive to constantly develop innovative technological solutions. This project really answers the needs of our times. It is a significant step forward in the fight against climate change.”
Hyoffwind is a project to build and operate an industrial-scale 25 MW green hydrogen production facility in Zeebrugge. The partnership between Fluxys and Virya Energy dates back to the feasibility study launched in 2018. The green hydrogen facility will enable the further decarbonisation of various applications by providing clean fuel, sustainable feedstock for industry and an energy storage solution produced via renewable energy sources. The facility, which can be scaled up to 100 MW at a later stage, could become a key component in a rapidly emerging hydrogen production and distribution grid supporting both the Belgian and European hydrogen strategies.
Virya Energy is active in the development, financing, construction and operation of renewable energy sources. Established in late 2019 by Colruyt Group and its majority shareholder Korys, Virya Energy today holds 100% stakes in Parkwind, Eurowatt, Eoly Energy and Sanchore. Virya Energy is set to further develop renewable energy generation capacities and deliver services across the full value chain of sustainable energy solutions, including storage. Based in Belgium, Virya Energy and its subsidiaries own and operate over 1 GW of green energy generation capacity globally and are active in numerous green hydrogen initiatives.
Virya Energy | Vedran Horvat, +32 (0)471 63 82 01; Vedran.Horvat@virya-energy.com
Fluxys | Laurent Remy, +32 (0)2 282 7450, Laurent.Remy@fluxys.com
John Cockerill | Caroline Crevecoeur, +32 (0)475 30 20 09, caroline.crevecoeur@johncockerill.com
BESIX | +32 (0)2 402 62 11, communication@besix.com
Headquartered in Belgium, Fluxys is a fully independent energy infrastructure group with 1,300 employees active in gas transmission and storage, as well as liquefied natural gas terminalling. Via its associates around the world, Fluxys operates 12,000 kilometres of pipeline and liquefied natural gas terminals with an annual total regasification capacity of 29 billion cubic metres. Fluxys’ subsidiaries including Euronext-listed Fluxys Belgium, owner and operator of the gas transmission and storage infrastructure and liquefied natural gas terminalling facilities in Belgium.
As a purpose-led company, Fluxys together with its stakeholders contributes to a better society by shaping a bright energy future. Building on the unique assets of its infrastructure and its commercial and technical expertise, Fluxys is committed to transporting hydrogen, biomethane and any other carbon-neutral energy carrier as well as CO2, accommodating the capture, use and storage of the latter.
John Cockerill is a global player in the energy transition. Leveraging more than 200 years' experience in energy and industry, John Cockerill develops innovative technological solutions that contribute to the decarbonisation of human activities, whether developing new electricity generation capacity from renewable energies, storing green electricity or optimising the energy efficiency of existing power plants and industrial equipment. The group adapts its technologies and expertise – heat recovery boilers for combined-cycle gas and steam power plants, green hydrogen production, storage and distribution units, receivers for concentrated solar thermal power plants, integrated green electricity production, storage and management units, industrial boilers, maintenance of wind turbines and hydroelectric installations, nuclear valves, and industrial process automation – to the specific needs of its energy and industrial customers. In so doing, John Cockerill is making a technological contribution to the fight against climate change.
Brussels-based BESIX (founded in 1909) is a leading Belgian group active in 25 countries and on five continents in construction, real estate development and concessions. Its many iconic projects include Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, in Dubai. Thanks to its engineering department, BESIX can carry out complex and unique projects, particularly in terms of their technical and environmental aspects.
Group subsidiary BESIX Environment specialises in electromechanics and the design, engineering, execution, operation and maintenance of state-of-the-art environmental facilities, including water treatment and recycling, waste processing and sustainable energy.