Green hydrogen for Spain
The journey to achieving carbon neutrality requires a massive deployment of renewable energy, electrification and carbon free hydrogen. In addition, the decarbonization of hard to abate sectors such as fertilizer production, chemicals, and shipping requires replacing the current fossil-based consumption of fuels and feedstocks with renewable alternatives such as green hydrogen and green ammonia.
Power-to-X technology addresses this need by utilizing renewable energy sources to produce green hydrogen and green ammonia. By combining the excellent wind and solar resources that Spain provides, the Catalina project will contribute reaching the targets for hydrogen production set at both Spanish and European level. Moreover, the project will have an immense positive impact on the local economy by the creation of a sustainable industry that will promote job creation and attract young talent to the region.
Together with key front-runners from the renewable energy industry and leading Spanish industrial partners, Catalina is committed to bring Spain to the forefront of the global energy transition and provide a unique contribution to achieving net zero emissions.
Spanish targets by 2030
Catalina project
Catalina is a world-leading large-scale green hydrogen project that aims to develop 1.1 GW of combined onshore wind and solar photovoltaic plants and a first-of-a-kind 500 MW electrolyser connected to a green ammonia plant through a dedicated hydrogen pipeline of 221 km.
Catalina will be producing up to 84,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year, corresponding to more than 15% of the current total hydrogen consumption in Spain and avoiding the emissions of more than 3.1 million tonnes of CO₂ in the first ten years. The project will have a huge positive impact on the local economy by using 100% of the renewable energy generated in the implementation of a sustainable industry that will contribute to job creation and attract young talent to the region.
The project will be producing cost efficient green hydrogen, which will be used to satisfy the demand of the local, regional and national industries, mainly in the fertilizer sector. Furthermore, the green hydrogen will be injected into the natural gas grid, thereby reducing carbon emissions from natural gas consumption in Spain. 100% of the energy produced will be used in Aragon and will allow the development of a new high added value industry.
- 1.1 GW
- Wind/Solar Capacity
- 500 MW
- Electrolyser Capacity
- 221 Km
- Pipeline
- 800 TPD
- Ammonia plant (Tonnes Per Day)
The province of Teruel (Andorra) is selected as the location for the production of the renewable energy due to its high-quality wind and solar resources.
The region is one of the best locations in Europe for renewable electricity production providing an attractive opportunity for the production of green hydrogen.
Catalina will create a new and scalable hydrogen market connecting rich renewable resource areas with industrial off-takers. Catalina is strategically located considering European and Spanish plans for hydrogen infrastructure, and the 221 km pipeline infrastructure will contribute such goals.
Project Ambitions
Catalina will kick-start the hydrogen economy in Spain by providing the country with valuable knowledge on hydrogen technology. It is a first-of-a-kind project which combines renewable generation assets, large scale electrolyser and a pipeline infrastructure to guarantee a constant green hydrogen delivery to industries with limited flexibility.
This will support the establishment of other projects through the knowledge gained in the development of the Catalina project, paving the way for Aragon to become a global green hydrogen hub.
The project provides economic growth classified as sustainable according to EU taxonomy. In addition, it contributes to the Just Transition Municipalities programme by diversifying the local economy, creating approximately 8,000 jobs and ensuring the long-term prosperity of the area.
Catalina contribution to European and national targets
It is a European priority to develop renewable hydrogen. Hydrogen is to play a key role in decarbonising sectors where other alternatives might be unfeasible or more expensive. The ambition is to produce 10 million tonnes and import 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen in the EU by 2030.
The Spanish, French and Portuguese Governments have decided to accelerate the development of energy interconnections and to create the green H₂Med hydrogen pipeline connecting Portugal, Spain and France with the wider European hydrogen network. The development of H₂MED is the first pillar of the European Hydrogen Backbone aimed at accelerating the decarbonization of Europe, by creating the needed hydrogen infrastructure to enable the development of a competitive, liquid, and pan-European hydrogen market. H₂MED will accelerate the deployment of hydrogen in Europe and connect the Iberian Peninsula with France and northern Europe.
Spain has developed ambitious renewable hydrogen targets with the aim of achieving 4 GW of electrolysis capacity and for renewable hydrogen to account for 25% of total hydrogen demand by 2030. Catalina will contribute with EU and Spanish targets by the installation of a large-scale green hydrogen plant with 500 MW electrolyser capacity by 2027 and scalable to 2 GW by 2030.
Decarbonizing the Spanish industry
The Catalina project will support the decarbonization of industries in Aragon, Valencia and Catalonia.
With a maximum annual production of 84,000 tonnes of green hydrogen, the production will correspond to more than half the hydrogen volumes currently consumed in Aragon, Valencia, and Catalonia.
Spanish industries have a unique opportunity to lead the green transition in sectors where it would otherwise be very difficult to reduce emissions.
Catalina is a first-of-a-kind project, integrating 1.1 GW of wind and solar PV generation assets connected to a 500 MW electrolyser capable of producing over 84,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year, a pipeline of 221 km with a storage capacity up to 300 tonnes and an ammonia plant with a producing capacity of 247,000 tonnes of green ammonia.
The project will contribute to the decarbonization target with the avoidance of more than 3.1 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions in the first ten years of operation. The total capital investment is EUR 2.35 bn and the project will enter in operation by December 2027.
The project uses an innovative energy management system (EMS) that enables the optimization of hydrogen production by electrolysis on an industrial scale. The combination of renewable generation assets, large scale electrolyser and a pipeline infrastructure will guarantee a constant hydrogen delivery to industries with limited flexibility.
Green hydrogen represents an important opportunity for Aragon region, which could boost the hydrogen industry and attract other industries that can benefit from renewable hydrogen at a competitive price.
The Catalina project has ensured its economic viability through agreements with Fertiberia, with the intention of supplying the hydrogen to replace consumption of grey ammonia in Sagunto.
- > EUR 2.35 bn
- Total capital investment for Catalina
- 504 MW
- Wind generation capacity
- 571 MW
- Solar PV generation capacity
- 500 MW
- Electrolysis capacity
- 84,000 t
- Green hydrogen production
Development timeline
Socioeconomic impact
> 3.1
million tonnes
CO₂ emissions reduction in the first ten years
The production of CO₂ e-free fertilizer using renewable hydrogen will contribute to the decarbonization of the hard-to-abate fertilizer industry and to sustainable food practices.
An advanced hydrogen plant design will be implemented to optimize water consumption.
~8,000
jobs created
During construction / installation phases
A training centre will be established to allow the local community to participate in the green transition.
The impact of the project on the rural environment can be an additional element that will contribute to avoid rural depopulation and to achieve the objectives of the demographic challenge, by creating synergies with the needs of economic reactivation and employment in areas undergoing a process of just transition. The project will position Aragon, and especially the Andorra area, as a hydrogen industrial hub, contributing significantly to the growth of qualified employment.
Consortium introduction
The Catalina project is being developed by a strong consortium, formed by world-leading renewable energy companies, and Spanish industrial leaders. The purpose of the project is for it to become a part of the local community. Proof of this intention is the continuous communication held with the public administrations in the area to align the project’s scope to the local needs, resulting in expressions of support to the project from both local municipalities and the regional governments.
The consortium is committed to develop, install, and operate the project to the highest environmental and safety standards. The environmental impact assessment studies are conducted using state-of-the-art methodology prior to finishing the plant design, enabling design adjustments to achieve a minimal impact on the surrounding environment. These combined efforts are enabling a sustainable green hydrogen and green ammonia production.
+50
years experience.
Additionally, Enagás Renovable has more than 50 specific projects in Spain in the field of renewable gases and decarbonization.
+10 MW
under development.
CIP has a project portfolio with 10 GW electrolyser capacity under development across all continents.
+100%
of the expected hydrogen consumption in Aragon could be covered by the project. Also, part of the planned hydrogen production will be purchased by Naturgy, Fertiberia and other potential off-takers.
+15%
of Spain´s current hydrogen consumption by the Catalina project.
