Port of Alicante advances hydrogen plant

The plant is part of the PORTALI-H2 project and represents a decisive step forward in the integration of clean industrial technologies, with the aim of improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions associated with both port operations and maritime and land transport linked to the port. The facility will allow for the production, storage, and supply of renewable hydrogen on-site, facilitating the incorporation of more sustainable mobility and logistics solutions for ships, port machinery, and land fleets.

The tender for this plant gives concrete form to the commitment expressed by President Luis Rodríguez to develop a port geared towards decarbonisation, in line with the European Green Deal and the strategic framework of the state port system. In this roadmap, green hydrogen, along with electrification and other renewable energies, is positioned as a central lever for progressively reducing the port's carbon footprint and strengthening its long-term competitiveness.

Main features of the competition and the plant

The purpose of this tender is to select the bid that will be processed for the granting of an administrative concession for the construction and operation of a renewable hydrogen plant at the southern end of Pier 19, with a concession period of 30 years. The Port Authority is making available to the future concessionaire an area of approximately 500 m² for the plant, as well as more than 3,000 m² of additional space on the breakwater for the installation of sustainable electricity generation systems, such as solar or wind power, to fuel the production process.

The technical solution must include an electrolyser capacity of approximately 1 MW and a design that minimises the visual impact of the buildings, while guaranteeing the highest standards of safety and environmental compatibility. Interested companies must submit a basic project plan for the works and installations, an operating plan, a strategic and commercial plan, and a financial report demonstrating the project's viability and its effective contribution to the port's sustainability objectives.

Commitment to renewable energy and carbon footprint

The specifications stipulate that the plant will be powered primarily by renewable energy generated within the port area itself, reinforcing energy self-sufficiency and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. This approach will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the Alicante port by offering clean alternatives for both ship energy supply and port machinery and services.

Furthermore, the initiative is integrated into the Strategic Agenda for Energy Transition and Efficiency that the Port Authority is developing to create a low-emission, digitised, and resilient management model, open to the participation of the port community, businesses, and government agencies. With projects such as the VAHIA 2030 cluster and the future renewable hydrogen plant, the Port of Alicante is positioning itself as a testing ground and driving force for the green hydrogen revolution in the province.

Call for business and technology collaboration

The Port Authority emphasises that this competition is designed to foster competition and collaboration with companies specialising in hydrogen and renewable energy, promoting the implementation of innovative solutions in the port environment. The renewable hydrogen plant aims not only to reduce emissions, but also to attract investment, generate knowledge, and consolidate an advanced energy ecosystem that positions the Port of Alicante as a benchmark for sustainability in the Mediterranean region.

Interested companies can consult the tender specifications and associated documentation on the Alicante Port Authority website and at its offices, within the deadlines and conditions established in the call for tenders: https://www.puertoalicante.com/negocio/perfil-del-contratante/concursos/

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/23012026/port-of-alicante-advances-hydrogen-plant/