- A German developer is set to build a €3 billion (approximately $3.3 billion) green hydrogen facility in Albacete, Spain, aiming to create up to 1,000 jobs and produce hydrogen using wind and solar power.
- The Kolya-PNE project will utilize 1,000 MW each from wind and solar energy, emphasizing the strategic importance of Albacete’s location for renewable energy development.
Kolya-PNE, a Spanish subsidiary of the German group PNE, has announced its plans to establish a hydrogen production facility in Albacete. The project, which involves an investment of €3,000 million (approximately $3.3 billion), will feature an electrolyzer with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts (MW). This significant venture is set to be powered by an equal capacity of wind and photovoltaic energy sources, each contributing 1,000 MW.
The total investment by Kolya-PNE is expected to generate between 200 and 1,000 jobs during the construction phase, depending on the stage, and about 100 ongoing jobs during the plant’s operation, predominantly in highly specialized roles.
The announcement was made during a recent gathering in Toledo, attended by the Minister of Sustainable Development, Mercedes Gómez, along with Kolya-PNE board members Juanjo José Moreno, Héctor García, Holger Boy, and development director Jesús Pacheco. The meeting was crucial for presenting the project to the Community Board of Castilla-La Mancha and discussing the region’s burgeoning energy sector.
The selection of Albacete as the project site was praised by Gómez and Kolya-PNE representatives, highlighting the area’s suitability due to its industrial zone, proximity to significant infrastructure like the Los Llanos Air Base, and the nearby Valencian Community with its diverse industrial landscape. This includes ports like Valencia and Sagunto and industries such as ceramics and stained glass. The location is further enhanced by the upcoming H2 hydroduct, a project by Enagás supported by the European Union.
Kolya-PNE has secured the necessary land for the wind farms and photovoltaic installations required for the project, along with the essential water supply for operating the electrolyzer. Current discussions are underway with local municipalities and the regional government to finalize the development steps, emphasizing minimal environmental impact and equitable local benefit distribution.
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