HDF Energy (Hydrogène de France) has announced the inauguration of the world's first plant to manufacture 1 MW+ fuel cells. This industrial site is dedicated to the decarbonisation of heavy maritime and rail mobility, as well as the production of electricity for public power grids.
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With 80% of its production destined for export, the factory is also stimulating the local economy by creating jobs, thereby contributing to the reindustrialisation and industrial sovereignty of Europe.
HDF Energy’s industrial site will produce fuel cells using proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology, which is already used in light mobility (cars and buses) worldwide: this technology is recognised for its efficiency, durability and technological maturity. PEM fuel cells are powerful, compact and emission-free, making them ideally suited to heavy mobility and electricity generation.
HDF Energy has set up its 7000 m² plant on the site of Ford's former gearbox manufacturing plant in Blanquefort, near Bordeaux (France). HDF Energy’s factory is part of the ‘HDF Industry’ project, a wide-ranging investment plan over several years aimed at developing and industrialsing multi-megawatt fuel cells. To meet efficiency, durability and cost requirements, HDF Energy plans to launch successive R&D and industrialisation programmes for several product ranges from 1 to 10 MW. From this summer, the plant will finalise its industrial process. In 2025, it will start the pre-production phase and the fuel cell test platform. Industrialisation will begin in 2026, with the aim of producing 1 GW per year by 2030. HDF Energy benefits from major public support. As early as 2018, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region provided financial support for the start-up of the company's fuel cell business. And, on 28 May 2024, the European Commission approved the financing of HDF Energy's industrial project by the French government as part of the Hy2Move wave of IPCEI hydrogen financing (Important Project of Common European Interest), dedicated to the reindustrialisation of Europe.
For its construction, the plant was awarded BREEAM ‘very good’ certification, an international standard for assessing the environmental impact of a building to promote greener architecture. This certification will be extended to the operation of the building. The criteria that will be monitored during operation of the plant are energy management, water management, waste recovery, access to sustainable transport and the health and well-being of occupants.