Lhyfe, a prominent player in the green hydrogen sector, has received confirmation from the French Prime Minister regarding a €149 million ($169 million) grant for its upcoming green hydrogen production facility near the Grand Canal of Le Havre. This funding is part of France’s commitment to advancing decarbonisation and green energy solutions.
The future plant, expected to reach a production capacity of up to 34 tonnes of green hydrogen per day, was selected in 2022 by the European Commission as part of the third wave of Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) focused on hydrogen.
The French government’s decision to award the grant was announced in March 2024 by Roland Lescure, the then Minister Delegate for Industry and Energy, during a visit to Le Havre.
Phased Funding Plan
The funding agreement with Bpifrance outlines a phased approach to disbursing the grant. Lhyfe will receive an initial €18 million advance by June 2025, which will cover investments made since 2022 and help fund the next stages of the project. Additional payments will be made based on the completion of predefined milestones over a four-year period, with the total amount reaching €149 million.
Green Horizon: A Key Decarbonisation Initiative
The Green Horizon project, located near the industrial port of Le Havre in Normandy, aims to produce up to 34 tonnes of green hydrogen daily, targeting the decarbonisation needs of the region’s industry and mobility sectors. The plant will be situated close to the Yara site, which also focuses on decarbonisation and plans to incorporate green hydrogen in its operations. Yara has expressed support for Lhyfe’s project.
This facility, located on a 2.8-hectare site in Gonfreville-l’Orcher, is slated for completion by 2029. It will be one of France and Europe’s first large-scale plants producing decarbonised hydrogen via water electrolysis.
Supporting France’s Decarbonisation Goals
The Green Horizon project is seen as a critical step toward achieving France’s and Europe’s decarbonisation goals, particularly the target of 4.5 GW of installed electrolysis capacity by 2030. The project, selected as part of the French government’s 2021 hydrogen call and validated by the European Commission in February 2024, is expected to serve as a model for future large-scale hydrogen production facilities.
Lhyfe has already secured the necessary building permits and environmental authorisations for the project, as well as grid connections and power availability.
A Strong Vote of Confidence
Matthieu Guesné, Founder and CEO of Lhyfe, expressed pride in the government’s support, stating, “This grant reflects a strong vote of confidence in Lhyfe as an SME capable of innovating and tackling complex technological challenges. It also highlights our ability to invest and collaborate with international partners. The Green Horizon project marks a significant turning point for decarbonising large-scale industrial uses, and with this project, Lhyfe will surpass the 100 MW milestone in installed electrolysis capacity, driving a major industrial leap forward.”
With the successful completion of this project, Lhyfe will significantly contribute to reducing fossil fuel dependence and supporting the EU’s greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, in line with the Paris Agreement.
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