Zeebrugge wind power-to-hydrogen project proceeds

Hyoffwind comprises Fluxys and Virya Energy who joined forces in 2018 to bolster sustainable energy in Belgium and Europe, receiving €8m in aid from the Flemish government in 2020. The first phase of the 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.

Flemish Minister for Economy and Innovation Hilde Crevits plans a further €23m in support of this latest endeavour. “Hyoffwind is one of the projects that Flanders has submitted in connection with the European call for hydrogen IPCEIs,” she said.

“Not only will it produce sustainable hydrogen, but it will also enable companies to acquire knowledge of and expertise in this sustainable technology, knowledge that we can then export to other countries.”

Towards a hydrogen economy in Belgium and Europe

It is hoped that this pioneering project, combined with the development of hydrogen infrastructure, will be the first step towards Flanders and Belgium becoming a European green hydrogen hub, helping to decarbonise the transport and logistics sectors.

“With Hyoffwind, we are entering the next stage in the transition towards more fit for purpose green energy sources by enabling the start of a green hydrogen supply chain,” said Paul Tummers, chief executive of Virya Energy.

“By partnering with John Cockerill and BESIX, we have the complete know-how and experience to become one of the first important building blocks supporting the European hydrogen strategy.”