Air Liquide has acquired a 40% stake in French company H2V Normandy, a subsidiary of H2V Product, which aims to build a large-scale electrolyser complex of up to 200 MW for the production of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen in France.

This investment demonstrates Air Liquide’s long-term commitment to hydrogen energy and its ambition to be a major player in the supply of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen, with the project enabling Air Liquide to avoid the emission of 250,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Located in the industrial zone of Port-Jérôme in Normandy, France, the large-scale electrolyser project of H2V Normandy aims to supply renewable and low-carbon hydrogen for industrial applications, as well as future heavy mobility applications.

The project is part of a programme to develop new energies to decarbonate industrial activities (refining and chemical) on the Seine Valley axis in Normandy.

Air Liquide has already deployed a solution for CO2 capture called Cryocap on its Port-Jérôme hydrogen production facility.

François Jackow, Executive Vice President and a member of the Air Liquide Group’s Executive Committee said: “As France has resolutely committed to energy transition with an ambitious hydrogen plan, Air Liquide is investing locally to develop the activity.

“With this strategic project aimed at producing hydrogen by electrolysis, the group is strengthening its presence in the Normandy industrial basin.

“This investment is in line with Air Liquide’s commitment to supply hydrogen from renewable or low-carbon sources for mobility and to support the decarbonisation of the industry and thus to promote the emergence of hydrogen as a key element in the energy transition.”