© TotalEnergies

Air Liquide has confirmed a final investment decision (FID) for its 200MW ELYgator green hydrogen project at the Port of Rotterdam. The French industrial gas company will invest over €500 million to build and operate the facility, which is expected to be operational by the end of 2027.

Major Subsidy Backing Secured

The project has received around €340 million ($400 million) in production subsidies under the Dutch OWE scheme, covering up to 80% of the capital cost. Additional financial support has come through the EU’s Hy2Use Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) and the Innovation Fund.

Dual Electrolysis Technology Deployment

ELYgator will use a combination of proton exchange membrane (PEM) and alkaline electrolysis technologies to produce 23,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year. The company has not disclosed the suppliers or the split between the two systems.

Long-Term Offtake Deal with TotalEnergies

A significant portion of the hydrogen output will be delivered to TotalEnergies’ Antwerp refinery under a long-term offtake agreement. The rest will feed into Air Liquide’s existing hydrogen pipeline network, serving industrial customers in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Strategic Role in European Hydrogen Supply

“This investment decision is an important milestone and demonstrates our commitment to renewable hydrogen development,” said Emilie Mouren-Renouard, Executive Committee member at Air Liquide. “We firmly believe that robust, large-scale initiatives like ELYgator will deliver a real impact for European industry and heavy-duty mobility sectors.”

Air Liquide is advancing several large hydrogen projects in Europe. A 200MW plant in Normandy is expected to come online this year, with a 250MW facility in Zeeland planned for 2029. The company is focusing its clean hydrogen strategy on refining and other industries with high existing demand for gray hydrogen.

ELYgator Moves Ahead Amid Industry Uncertainty

The final investment decision on ELYgator stands out in a European hydrogen sector facing frequent delays and cancellations. Its combination of secured funding, confirmed offtake, and integration into an existing infrastructure network positions it as a flagship project for industrial decarbonization.

The project will be the second 200MW-scale green hydrogen plant in Rotterdam, following Shell’s Holland Hydrogen 1, which is currently under construction and due for commissioning in 2026. Together, these projects highlight Rotterdam’s growing role as a key hub for green hydrogen in Europe.