Lhyfe and AREC Occitanie unveil France’s largest green hydrogen plant

France – Lhyfe joins forces with AREC Occitanie to inaugurate the Lhyfe Occitanie site. The ceremony marks a pivotal moment in the pursuit of decarbonizing goods and passenger transport under the ambitious Occitanie H2 Corridor project.

Two years after establishing its first site in the Pays de la Loire region, Lhyfe is unveiling two new production units in Occitanie and Brittany. This dual inauguration reinforces Lhyfe’s commitment to large-scale industrial deployment, with five additional sites currently under construction or expansion across Europe.

“Green Hydrogen” plan

The inauguration of Lhyfe Occitanie aligns with the Occitanie Region’s visionary €150 million “Green Hydrogen” plan announced in 2019. This plan, now set in motion with the start of Lhyfe Occitanie, forms an integral part of the Occitanie H2 Corridor project, focusing on tangible projects for regional decarbonization.

Situated at the Triangle business park in Bessières, near Toulouse, Lhyfe Occitanie is poised to produce up to two tonnes of green and renewable hydrogen per day. This corresponds to a production capacity of 5 MW through electrolysis, with the flexibility for future expansion to meet evolving demands. The produced hydrogen, equivalent to powering a hydrogen truck for approximately 25,000 km emission-free, underscores the potential impact on reducing carbon footprint in transport.

Financing

Lhyfe Occitanie is a joint venture with 80% ownership by Lhyfe and 20% by AREC Occitanie. The project is an integral part of the Occitanie H2 Corridor, co-financed by the European Union and the European Investment Bank. The collaboration received a €14.6 million grant under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Transport Blending Facility (CEF TBF), alongside a €40 million loan from the European Investment Bank. Further financial support from the Occitanie Region, totaling €6 million, emphasizes the strategic importance of the project.

The Occitanie H2 Corridor, an extension of the North–South European hydrogen corridor, targets the decarbonization of goods and passenger transport. Lhyfe Occitanie will play a vital role in this vision by supplying green and renewable hydrogen to trucks, coaches, and other fuel cell vehicles. The Occitanie Region aims to have two renewable hydrogen production facilities by the end of 2024, supporting the deployment of hydrogen fuel stations, hydrogen-powered trucks, refrigerated trailers, and regional interurban buses.

“Containerized” format

A highlight of the Lhyfe Occitanie facility is its innovative “containerized” format, designed to minimize the site footprint and enhance scalability. Covering approximately 8,000 sq. meters, the facility comprises containerized buildings for various functions, including electrolysis, compression, quality control, and more. This design not only supports regional development but also signifies a shift toward more sustainable and adaptable industrial practices.

In 2022, Lhyfe introduced the Lhyfe Heroes digital platform, aimed at facilitating the transition to hydrogen for mobility players. The platform includes tools such as simulators to assess needs, catalogs of hydrogen players, and an Ecosystems module to identify hydrogen pioneers for collaborative projects. Lhyfe Heroes reinforces the commitment to fostering a community-driven approach to hydrogen adoption.