For internal use only
Hyoffwind Infrastructure has signed an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract with John Cockerill Hydrogen and BESIX, for the construction of Belgium's first renewable hydrogen production plant. This project has received preliminary support from the Flemish government in the form of a €30 million subsidy.
First renewable hydrogen production plant in Belgium on good tracks
After the submission of an Environmental Impact permit request, and before a Final Investment Decision (FID) still to come later this year, Hyoffwind Infrastructure has signed an EPC contract with John Cockerill Hydrogen and BESIX for the construction of the renewable hydrogen production plant in Belgium. This milestone agreement signifies another step forward for the project towards the final investment decision planned for later this year. This would set it on track to produce the first hydrogen molecules in Zeebrugge in 2026.
Upon its construction, the plant, developed by Virya Energy, will have an initial capacity of 25 MW, with the possibility for future expansion. The coastal city of Zeebrugge is the preferred location for construction due to the presence of many established industrial actors, offering potential avenues for utilizing the green hydrogen produced. Additionally, Zeebrugge's strategic infrastructure connects it to wider European networks, positioning it well for potential future developments in the renewable hydrogen market.
Renewed public support
This project was co-funded by the European Union (NextGenerationEU) and the Flemish government (VLAIO). This funding merges and replaces two earlier grants allocated to Virya Energy and Hyoffwind Infrastructure, and further highlights the region’s support for the project. With this project and the allocated subsidies, Jo Brouns, Flemish minister of Economy, Innovation, Work, Social Economy, and Agriculture, supports the general development of a hydrogen value chain in Flanders and Belgium.
Raphaël Tilot, CEO of John Cockerill Hydrogen said: “With our partner BESIX, we are proud to collaborate with Virya Energy on the realization of this green hydrogen production facility in Zeebrugge. John Cockerill Hydrogen will deliver to the Hyoffwind project our most advanced electrolyzer technology manufactured in our European gigafactory. Together, we are shaping a cleaner and more sustainable energy future for Belgium and Europe.”
Mark Beyst, General Manager besix Belgium-Luxembourg added: “Hyoffwind stands at the forefront of Europe's green hydrogen initiatives. BESIX Group, experienced in handling complex industrial projects, is extremely proud to contribute to this leading project by offering the concept, engineering, construction, installation and commissioning expertise of two companies in our Group: BESIX Environment for the electromechanical works and BESIX for the civil and building works. The collaboration between our teams, along with John Cockerill's and Hyoffwind's, in developing solutions, promises to set this project as a benchmark in our collective journey towards decarbonising our economies.”
Paul Tummers, CEO of Virya Energy explained: "We believe that hydrogen is an essential component of a sustainable energy future. With the support of the Flemish government and our EPC partners, we are now several steps closer to bringing about this contribution to a more sustainable energy system. While there's still work ahead for us, these milestones count and demonstrate Belgium’s pioneering role in hydrogen development. As we move towards FID, our talented teams at Virya and our partners are tackling the remaining complexities of the project. I look forward to the next months!”