The industrial gas firm today (November 15) said it would make the investment to develop a new hydrogen packaging and delivery supply chain for refuelling stations along a French transport corridor connecting Île-de-France and Normandy.
Set to be supplied by its 200MW Normand’Hy electrolyser which is currently under construction, Air Liquide says the supply chain will support hydrogen-powered vehicles along the Seine Axis.
Aiming to meet the hydrogen fuel demands of taxis, fleets of light utility vehicles as well as buses and trucks, the company plans to lean on long-term supply contracts with the likes of HysetCo.
Around 25% of the Normand’Hy project’s hydrogen output will be dedicated to meeting refuelling demand – equivalent to the consumption of 500 trucks, according to Air Liquide.
Emilie Mouren-Renouard, member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee, said the investment was a “concrete and decisive step forward” for low-carbon transportation around the Seine Axis.”
The remaining 75% of Normand’Hy’s production capacity is planned to meet the demands for industrial customers in Normandy, including TotalEnergies.
Using PEM electrolyser technology manufactured by Air Liquide’s joint venture with Siemens Energy, the plant is expected to be commissioned in 2025.