The hydrogen project is supported by the governments of France and Germany and will use electrolyser systems on an industrial scale

Siemens Energy and Air Liquide signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the aim of combining their expertise in PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolysis technology. The companies intend to focus their activities on jointly creating industrial-scale large-scale hydrogen projects together with customers to prepare the ground for mass manufacturing of electrolysers in Europe, especially in Germany and France, as well as R&D activities to jointly develop. next generation electrolyser technologies.

Hydrogen will play an essential role in achieving the European Union's targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To meet the growing demand for energy and reduce costs, it is essential to accelerate the production of large-scale hydrogen, sustainably generated using PEM electrolysers. In connection with their participation, Siemens Energy and Air Liquide will jointly apply for major project funding under the European Union Green Deal and Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) – funded by the governments of France and Germany, for hydrogen.

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IPCEI funding is needed to rapidly launch these activities and meet the challenging timeline set by the European Green New Deal, the European Union Hydrogen Strategy, as well as the French and German National Hydrogen Strategies.

By working together, Siemens Energy and Air Liquide will strengthen their core competencies, enabling a sustainable hydrogen economy to emerge in Europe and initiate a European ecosystem for hydrogen electrolysis technology together with other partners. The partners have already identified cooperation opportunities for large-scale sustainable hydrogen projects in France, Germany and other European countries. One such opportunity is the Air Liquide-H2V Normandy project in France, with a capacity of 200 MW, one of the most ambitious projects in Europe for the production of hydrogen from renewable energies.

“Developing a sustainable hydrogen economy will still require changing structural conditions in the energy market. However, it will only be through partnerships and collaboration that we can shape this market. We very much appreciate co-creating innovative solutions with Air Liquide. Collectively, we will overcome the challenges that lie ahead to industrialize the technology and make sustainably generated hydrogen a success story”, comments Christian Bruch, CEO of Siemens Energy.

“Hydrogen is an important enabler for the energy transition. In the context of an unprecedented acceleration of hydrogen technologies and markets in Europe, the time to scale up production is now, particularly in France and Germany. The partnership between Air Liquide and Siemens Energy paves the way for the creation of an important European ecosystem, capable of supplying decarbonized hydrogen at competitive prices and promoting the emergence of a low-carbon society. We look forward to working on this Franco-German cooperation,” says Benoît Potier, President and CEO of Air Liquide.   

“Hydrogen is a key component of Germany's successful energy transition and crucial to European and global efforts to combat climate change. Germany is very committed to supporting the growth of the hydrogen technologies market and is working hard on European hydrogen IPCEIs. In this context, I am delighted that Siemens Energy and Air Liquide are joining forces in this area and look forward to seeing solid French-German hydrogen projects come online soon,” adds Peter Altmaier, Federal Minister for the Economy.   

“Now is the time to invest massively to develop new value chains and technologies. The time to act is now. With “France Glance”, €7 billion will be invested in hydrogen by 2030 to make our economy more competitive and more decarbonised. The ambitious project by Air Liquide and Siemens Energy is just the beginning of an industrial cooperation that must develop beyond a mere Franco-German alliance. Recovery must be above all a European recovery. I congratulate Air Liquide's mobilization in the framework of the French hydrogen plan, mainly for its participation and commitment to the National Hydrogen Council”, adds Bruno Le Maire, Minister of Economy, Finance and Recovery of France.