This is considered the fuel of the future, as it is a technology that uses electric current to separate hydrogen from oxygen in water capable of producing energy.

At least three large green hydrogen projects are in the pipeline in the Northeast region, which will boost Brazil to a high level in the production of this innovative technology. This week, the country's first H2V molecule was presented at the Pecém Thermoelectric Complex, located in São Gonçalo do Amarante, in the Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza (CE). In Camaçari (BA), a Unigel factory will be installed, the first of the three phases of the work scheduled to open later this year. Pernambuco is also in the “green gold” race through the Port of Suape.

These are historic facts for the generation of clean energy for vehicles and inputs in industries such as steel and oil refining. For the Pecém project (the first in Latin America) more than R$ 42 million were invested. This is an alliance of EDP ​​Brazil, together with strategic partners, with the support of the Federal Government and Ceará. Authorities such as the Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, the governor of Ceará, Elmano de Freitas, the CEO of EDP Brasil, João Marques da Cruz, the ambassador of Portugal in Brazil, Luís Faro Ramos, were present during the event to launch the first green hydrogen molecule.

EDP's green hydrogen plant is a Research & Development project by UTE Pecém. The project includes a solar plant with a capacity of 3 MW, in addition to an electrolyser module with state-of-the-art technology for the production of renewable fuel, capable of producing 250 Nm3/h of gas.

The factory in Bahia will have a production capacity of 10 tons per year of green hydrogen and 60 tons per year of green ammonia. Approximately US$ 1,520 billion will be invested, with the expectation of several new jobs. The projection is that green ammonia will be used as fuel, especially by bulk carriers and container ships.

In Pernambuco, the Port of Suape has already shown interest in the project by the French company Qair for the installation of a green and blue hydrogen production plant with carbon and ammonia capture. A delegation from the company visited the port complex in Pernambuco still in 2021. Two desalination plants are planned to use sea water with 1 GW of electrolysis capacity, in 16 modules of 140 MW. The project is expected to start in 2025.

Why is Green Hydrogen the fuel of the future?

In the Universe, there is no other chemical element more abundant that we are aware of. It is formed in combination with water, along with oxygen, and can also combine with carbon to form gas, coal and oil. In order for it to be used as a fuel, it needs to be separated from other molecules.

From the breakdown of molecules that contain H2 in the composition, it is possible to obtain H2V. The product has renewable raw materials such as ethanol, biogas and vinasse – one of the residues of sugarcane mills. But the greatest benefit is the possibility of obtaining it through the electrolysis of water.

Green hydrogen is essential for compliance with agreements to combat climate change. By the year 2050, green hydrogen production should account for 18% of world energy. The projection of the sector's global market is until 2030, the annual production of H2V will be 90 GW in the world. Private investment in the production of this technology is expected to increase sixfold by 2025, and 16 times by 2030, according to expert projections.