All modules delivered for 20 MW green-hydrogen project at Petrobrazi refinery

Photo: OMV Petrom

OMV Petrom, the largest integrated energy producer in Southeast Europe, announced June 25 the delivery of the fourth and final module of the 20-megawatt (MW) electrolyzer for green-hydrogen production at the Petrobrazi refinery in Romania.

The company has 55 MW of capacity under development through two projects: one at 20 MW and another at 35 MW.

“We are making progress on developing one of the largest green-hydrogen production capacities in Romania,” said Radu Căprău, a member of the OMV Petrom executive board for refining and marketing. “All components of the 20 MW electrolyzer have been delivered. In the coming period, deliveries will continue for the second green-hydrogen project, with a capacity of 35 MW, reflecting the sustained progress of the investment.”

The 20 MW electrolyzer will produce about 3,000 tons of green hydrogen per year, obtained by electrolysis of water with energy from renewable sources.

It will be used in the production processes, including for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), also known as renewable diesel.

The equipment is supplied by Neuman & Esser (Germany), and the construction, logistics, component manufacturing and module assembly works at Petrobrazi are carried out by Kraftanlagen Romania, in partnership with local suppliers.

The 20 MW project benefits from approximately 21-million euros (USD$24 million) in nonreimbursable funds through the PNRR, a national recovery and resilience plan.

The company’s SAF/HVO program involves a total investment of 750-million euros (USD$857 million)—560-million euros (USD$639.9 million) for the construction of the SAF/HVO unit and 190-million euros (USD$217.1 million) for the two green-hydrogen production facilities.

With an annual capacity of 250,000 tons, the new unit will position OMV Petrom as one of the largest sustainable fuels producers in Southeastern Europe.

Construction, which started last year, is progressing according to plan, the company stated.

The two-green hydrogen projects, with a total installed capacity of 55 MW and an estimated annual production of around 8,000 tons, will support the production of sustainable SAF and HVO fuels, obtained from vegetable oils and waste oils.

These fuels can reduce CO2 emissions by at least 65 percent over their entire lifecycle and are compatible with existing infrastructure.