New partnership looking into 100 MW hydrogen production in Sicily

Switzerland’s energy company Axpo has signed a cooperation agreement with French energy investor ENEGO to study the feasibility of a 100 MW green hydrogen plant in Sicily, Italy.

Specifically, Axpo will assess the viability of a 100 MW green hydrogen production plant in southeast Sicily, working with HYNEGO, a part of ENEGO. Depending on demand, expanding the plant’s capacity to up to 300 MW would be possible, Axpo claimed.

The plant would be located in the Priolo-Augusta petrochemical complex and produce green hydrogen for local industry and transportation, Axpo said, adding that its construction would also help create a so-called “hydrogen valley” in Sicily, which could also connect directly to the European hydrogen network as part of the European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) initiative.

Axpo Head of Hydrogen Guy Bühler commented: “We’re delighted to be working with ENEGO. This project is important for decarbonisation in the region, and especially in the Priolo-Augusta district, which includes an industrial site of national importance. The grey hydrogen currently used by its refineries is produced using natural gas. This plant would be able to replace that with CO2-free hydrogen.”

ENEGO Holding CEO Alfonso Morriello stated: “Today’s announcement is an important milestone for the HYNEGO Priolo-Augusta project, which originated with the cooperation of many local entities and the scientific expertise of the University of Catania’s Engineering Department. All the project’s stakeholders are committed to bringing the competitive advantage of green hydrogen to the local economy. Ours is a pioneering hydrogen project for Sicily and will make an important contribution to the EU’s decarbonisation targets.”

As for Axpo’s other hydrogen-related projects, the company revealed it is working with the Australian company IGE to develop a hydrogen production facility in Italy. Furthermore, the “first” hydrogen-powered passenger vessel on Switzerland’s Lake Lucerne is being planned in collaboration with the SGV shipping company. As part of this project, Axpo said it will supply the green hydrogen needed to operate the boat.