• FRV and Vectalia unite to develop Spain’s first project for the large-scale use of green hydrogen-powered buses
  • Set in Alicante, the fourth most populated province in Spain, the project plans for a solar-powered hydrolysis plant and hydrogen plant that will refuel up to 80 buses, cutting down on more than 75 tons of CO2 emissions in the first phase alone
  • The new partnership was celebrated with a ride in the project’s first model green hydrogen-powered bus, provided by one of Portugal’s largest bus manufacturers, CaetanoBus
  • As part of its global expansion, the project will build on FRV’s unique portfolio of hydrogen projects in Spain and beyond

Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV), part of Abdul Latif Jameel Energy and one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies, and mobility services company Vectalia, announced the signing of an agreement to introduce green hydrogen into the transportation system of one of Spain’s most populated provinces.

Located in Alicante, the project is set to be the first of its kind, addressing the large-scale use of green hydrogen to fuel Spain’s transport decarbonization strategy.

Plans are underway for a solar-powered hydrolysis plant and a hydrogen plant that will refuel up to 80 buses with a range of 400 km, cutting down on more than 75 tons of CO2 emissions in the first phase alone.

The project has been presented to Spain’s Ministry of Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and the Ministry of Science and Innovation as a funding candidate for the European Union’s US$ 97 million Covid-19 recovery Next Generation Fund.

Felipe Hernández, Engineering Director at FRV-X, pointed out that with this project, together with Vectalia, “We have the opportunity to combine the production of green hydrogen with the existing demand, which, we trust, will gradually expand in the coming years to continue on the path of the much-needed energy transition that, from FRV, we have the ambition to lead globally”.

Once launched, this project will add to FRV’s unique portfolio of hydrogen projects worldwide. The company is currently driving an ambitious growth strategy, aiming to invest more than US$ 1.5 billion with the goal of doubling total installed capacity from 2 GW in 2021 to 4 GW in 2024.

Fady Jameel, Deputy President and Vice Chairman, Abdul Latif Jameel, commented:

“We are proud to be a key partner in this pioneering initiative, which builds on our international expertise in hydrogen technology. Recognized as one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies, FRV centers its growth strategy on helping communities worldwide deliver on their renewable energy ambitions to secure a cleaner future.”

Rubén Darío Urrestarazu, Director of Innovation and Projects of Vectalia, wanted to emphasize the “open and inclusive” nature of the agreement between FRV and Vectalia; a collaborative project that seeks to “incorporate new strategic alliances with organizations at the forefront of the value chain of green H2, from generation and production to end uses”.

To celebrate the agreement of the initiative, FRV and Vectalia organized an event at the University of Alicante (UA) in which attendees had the opportunity to ride in the H2.CityGold vehicle, the first green hydrogen powered bus to be launched as part of the project. It was provided by one of Portugal’s largest bus manufacturers, CaetanoBus, symbolic of the drive for cleaner urban mobility on the Iberian Peninsula. The event was attended by the Rector of the University, Amparo Navarro, and the Regional Minister of Territorial Policy, Public Works and Mobility of the Valencian Community, Arcadi España. The event was also attended by a large number of mayors and mobility councilors from various municipalities in Alicante, business representatives and field experts.

At the event’s presentation ceremony, Arcadi España, Minister of Territorial Policy, Public Works and Mobility, highlighted “the interest of Comunidad Valenciana in the path towards the ecological transition, specifically in the decarbonization of mobility, and in the creation of a green corridor”. The Regional Minister also thanked “the commitment shown by FRV and Vectalia to develop a model of mobility that is increasingly responsible, sustainable and respectful of the environment”.

Amparo Navarro, Rector of the University of Alicante, said:

“The University of Alicante is extremely proud to be able to host an event with such an important symbolic meaning for our Autonomous Community. The alliance between FRV and Vectalia for the integration of green hydrogen in public transport puts us before a reality in sustainable mobility that seemed a utopia only a few years ago and that, thanks to research, development and commitment to clean technologies, allows us today to look with hope to the future of mobility”.

The initiative has received letters of support from the rectors of the two universities, the Regional Ministries of Mobility and Innovation, the Alicante City Council, the Port Authority, the Technological Institute of Energy, as well as several companies including shipping companies Baleària and Boluda.  

Kohei Umeno, commercial director of CaetanoBus, said “CaetanoBus wants to support cities in this process of improving urban transport and ensuring a better future for urban populations. Therefore, being part of the first project in Spain that implements the use of green hydrogen on a large scale in the field of public transport is a great opportunity to show our support to Alicante and help build the future of the region”. He highlighted that:

“We are very proud to have our H2.CityGold as the first hydrogen bus that is part of this amazing project. This is our best contribution to a future of green mobility solutions, where we all want to live!”

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