Work begins on Italy's first 500-bar renewable hydrogen plant

The project was submitted by Sapio and ECO+ECO to the Hydrogen Valley in Brownfield Industrial Areas call for proposals , published as part of the PNRR (National Plan for Renewable Energy Renewable Energy), and received a total of approximately €17 million in funding, including €14 million for Sapio's 500-bar electrolysis and compression plant and €3 million for the construction of the photovoltaic plant by ECO+ECO, part of the Veritas Group, the Veneto-based multi-utility.

"It is with great pride and emotion that today we officially begin construction of the new zero-emission hydrogen plant at the Sapio plant in Porto Marghera, in the presence of Minister Foti," explained Alberto Dossi , President of the Sapio Group. "This forward-looking project is deeply rooted in our past: Sapio has been producing hydrogen since 1922. Between 2024 and 2026, we have planned investments of approximately €40 million to redevelop our plant, generating economic benefits, new jobs, and stimulating further private investment. These investments also represent the first step towards the creation of a strategic energy hub in the area, capable of revitalising Porto Marghera and making it more attractive for sustainable industrial, logistics, and research and development activities."

"When a company like Sapio has 103 years of history, we have before us proof that industrial development is possible when there is tenacity, expertise, innovation, and research," said Tommaso Foti , Minister for European Affairs, Southern Italy, Cohesion Policies, and the PNRR. "The very laying of the foundation stone for which we are here today is, I would say, the realisation of a miracle, which also saw the overcoming of obstacles related to the authorisation processes to achieve a common goal: creating Hydrogen Valley. Sapio is the example of an Italy that can do things."

As Domenico Russo , director of the Sapio plant in Porto Marghera, explained , the Hydrogen Valley project in Venice has the primary objective of triggering and supporting decarbonisation processes around the world. This includes:

• The construction by ECO+ECO of a photovoltaic park of approximately 2 MW dedicated and directly connected to the hydrogen production plant, with the aim of powering it with renewable electricity.
• The installation of a 5 MW electrolyser at the Sapio plant for the production of approximately 500 tpy of renewable hydrogen.
• The creation of a logistics hub for the use of high-pressure tank trailers, with the aim of reducing the impact of hydrogen transport, both in terms of emissions and costs. The new tank trailers will have a filling pressure of 500 bar and will be able to transport a greater quantity of hydrogen than the current solution with 200-bar trailers, allowing for an increase in the quantity of hydrogen per shipment and a reduction in the number of trips.

Speakers also included Mayor of Venice Luigi Brugnaro , who emphasised: "how Porto Marghera is attracting roles and specialisations that also include new categories and new professions. In this way, we are creating opportunities for growth and development for the future of our young people." Also speaking were Port Authority President Fulvio Lino Di Blasio and Regional Councillor Roberto Marcato , who emphasised how this is an example of a collaborative effort where everyone worked toward a single goal: to push the energy and environmental transition, in which the Veneto Region strongly believes.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/14072025/work-begins-on-italys-first-500-bar-renewable-hydrogen-plant/