TotalEnergies & Air Liquide: Green Hydrogen for Europe

Green hydrogen is a pivotal element in the drive towards decarbonisation, primarily due to its production from renewable energy sources.

This process results in zero greenhouse gas emissions when the hydrogen is utilised.

Setting it apart from grey hydrogen, which is derived from fossil fuels, green hydrogen is produced by splitting water molecules using electricity sourced from renewables, leaving only oxygen as a byproduct.

This is a strategic technology that TotalEnergies is poised to deploy extensively in its quest to meet a 2030 target for decarbonising the hydrogen used across its European refineries.

Decarbonisation strategy in detail

TotalEnergies plans to cut CO₂ emissions by 450,000 tons across its Belgian and Dutch refineries, partnering with Air Liquide, a leader in gases and technologies for industries.

This partnership is expected to yield 45,000 tons of green hydrogen each year.

This collaboration features two major projects based in the Netherlands, utilising renewable energy predominantly from the OranjeWind offshore wind farm, a venture between TotalEnergies and RWE.

The Zeeland and Antwerp projects

The first initiative is the installation of a 250MW electrolyser adjacent to the Zeeland refinery.

This facility is managed by a joint venture shared equally by TotalEnergies and Air Liquide, designed to produce up to 30,000 tons of green hydrogen per year.

Set to be operational by 2029, it will help reduce the site’s CO₂ emissions by around 300,000 tons annually.

The second endeavour is at Air Liquide’s 200MW ELYgator electrolyser in Antwerp, which will supply 15,000 tons of green hydrogen yearly to TotalEnergies’ platform.

This involves a tolling arrangement where TotalEnergies supplies renewable power from OranjeWind to Air Liquide for hydrogen production.

Slated to commence by the end of 2027, it aims to slash 150,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually at the Antwerp site.

Vincent Stoquart, President, Refining and Chemicals at TotalEnergies, says: “By supplying these two electrolysers with renewable electricity from our offshore wind project in the Netherlands, TotalEnergies is leveraging its positioning as an integrated electricity company.

“The partnership with Air Liquide takes on a new dimension and marks a new step in TotalEnergies’ ambition to decarbonise the hydrogen consumed by its refineries in Europe by 2030.”

Collaborative efforts for sustainability

This isn't the first collaboration between TotalEnergies and Air Liquide.

They have long collaborated on various projects aimed at energy system decarbonisation.

Such initiatives include support for TotalEnergies’ efforts at the La Mède and Gonfreville refineries and developing a low-carbon hydrogen network across the Normandy industrial basin.

These collaborations underscore a shared commitment to reduce road and goods transportation emissions, enhance the hydrogen sector and create a robust network for heavy-duty applications, benefiting both companies' customers.

Strengthening the hydrogen sector is just one of the shared aspirations.

“Flagship projects such as the ones we are announcing today will play a key role in reducing emissions, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors such as industry and heavy mobility,” says Emilie Mouren-Renouard, Group Vice President and Member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee in charge of Europe operations.

“We are proud to lead the way on European renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production, and to accompany TotalEnergies in its journey to decarbonising its industrial assets. 

“These two projects will complete the five Air Liquide low carbon units already in operation or construction in Europe. This illustrates our capacity to offer concrete solutions to our customers, to reach our carbon neutrality ambition by 2050 and to support Europe’s leadership ambition towards decarbonized growth. 

“It also demonstrates the ability of Air Liquide to develop solid business models in the energy field of low carbon hydrogen.”

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