MT Group, an EPC contractor of European energy infrastructure projects, has signed a contract with the Klaipeda State Seaport Authority to build a green hydrogen production and refueling station at the Port of Klaipeda, Lithuania.
According to the MT Group, this will be the “first” hydrogen station in the Baltic States, with a total projected value of €10.5 million.
Under the contract, MT will undertake the design, supply, installation and commissioning of the technological equipment for the hydrogen station. This includes installing the technological systems, integrating electrical, automation and safety systems, as well as administration of the project management and construction processes, and providing two years of warranty maintenance for the station. MT has already begun preparatory work, with construction set to start in 2025.
As disclosed, at the Port of Klaipeda, green hydrogen will be produced using electrolysis with a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, and the electricity demand for hydrogen production at the port is planned to reach up to 3 MW. The station is expected to produce around 500 kilograms of hydrogen per day, which will be stored in high-pressure 550-bar and very high-pressure 1000-bar stationary tanks.
The produced hydrogen is planned to be used not only to meet the needs of the Port of Klaipeda but also for business and public purposes, MT said, adding that a part of the green hydrogen produced will be used for port operations, while another portion will be utilized for rail and road transport. In the future, there are plans to refuel commercial ships arriving at the port, MT revealed.
Mindaugas Zakaras, CEO of MT Group, commented: “The Port of Klaipeda, as a strategic transportation hub, has great potential to become a flagship of green technologies in the Baltic region. We commend the Port of Klaipeda for its strong commitment to sustainable green energy and addressing climate change, particularly by leading the implementation of this pilot project, which will serve as a benchmark for other hydrogen initiatives in the region. In this project, we will employ cutting-edge technologies, which will not only ensure maximum station capacity but also meet the highest safety and quality standards. Hydrogen with at least 99.99% purity will become an important alternative fuel for various types of transport, including private vehicles.”
Algis Latakas, General Director of Klaipeda State Seaport Authority, stated: “Another environmentally friendly energy source is coming to Lithuania. In a couple of years, in addition to electricity generated by solar, wind or other renewable energy sources, we will also have green hydrogen. We are determined not only to create energy that will reduce our environmental impact, but also to contribute to the development of clean energy in Lithuania and Europe by empowering hydrogen as a sustainable energy source for our ships, transport and industry.”
To note, this project is said to directly contribute to Lithuania’s 2021–2030 Energy Development Program, led by the Ministry of Energy, which aims to promote advanced technologies, reduce fossil fuel use and foster the growth of hydrogen technologies.
It is worth mentioning that in 2024, the construction of Lithuania’s first hydrogen-electric ship began at Western Baltija Shipbuilding (WBS). The project, with a total value of €12 million, was commissioned by the Klaipeda State Seaport Authority and is being built by Baltic Workboats under a joint operating agreement with WBS. Hydrogen power solutions developer Genevos was selected to provide the complete H2-Pack, including engineering and commissioning services, alongside the delivery of two marine-certified HPM-40 units, for the vessel.