Port of Alicante moves towards green hydrogen

The process will be open until 30 September 2025, and aims to ensure that the project involves the participation of as many operators as possible.

With this initiative, the Port of Alicante aims to position itself at the forefront of the energy transition in the Spanish and European port system, aligned with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the EU's ‘Fit for 55’ plan, which outline the roadmap towards climate neutrality.

The use of this mechanism is regulated by the Public Sector Contracts Law and is increasingly used to prepare complex tenders. In this case, the APA seeks to identify viable technologies, compare timelines and budgets, and ensure that the final plant design meets the needs of the port and its logistics environment.

Specific objectives of the PORTALI-H2 project

Although the plant will have a minimum capacity of 1 MW, the scope of the project goes far beyond mere technical installation. The Port Authority has defined a series of specific objectives that seek to transform the port's energy ecosystem:

• Implement an efficient and viable green hydrogen plant, adapted to the conditions of the port environment and utilising energy technologies.
• Ensure a high contribution of renewable energy, with the goal of covering at least 70% of the plant's annual consumption and moving toward maximum energy autonomy.
• Incorporate hydrogen as a strategic vector, both in the port's internal operations and in local maritime and land transportation, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
• Significantly reduce CO₂ emissions, facilitating the progressive decarbonisation of the Port Authority and the concessionaire companies operating within the facility.
• Promote research and collaboration with universities and technology centres to validate new solutions and position the port as a living laboratory for energy innovation.

In this way, PORTALI-H2 will not only have a direct impact on reducing emissions, but also aims to transform the Port of Alicante into a strategic energy hub, capable of generating knowledge, attracting private investment, and offering sustainable solutions to the entire logistics chain.

Public-private collaboration as the driving force of the project

One of the key aspects of the project is its public-private partnership model. The Port Authority will not allocate direct public funds; instead, the development and operation of the plant will be assigned to private companies through a public concession. This encourages business participation and the contribution of capital, knowledge, and technology, under the APA's regulatory framework, and promotes private investment.

This scheme ensures that the port can advance its energy transition, while also driving innovation based on the experience and competitiveness of the private sector.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/09092025/port-of-alicante-moves-towards-green-hydrogen/