OX2 has announced the development of the Neptunus offshore energy hub in the southern Baltic Sea. This ambitious project aims to produce electricity and hydrogen usingwind energy.
A Neptunus offshore energy hub with 1.9 GW of installed capacity
OX2 will locate the Neptunus energy hub in the Swedish economic zone, about 50 kilometers from the Blekinge coast. It will include offshore wind turbines as well as facilities to convert electricity into hydrogen. The annual production is estimated at 8 TWh of electricity, which corresponds to about 5% of Sweden’s current annual electricity consumption.
Investigations conducted by OX2 over the past two years have established the ideal location for this project. In addition, authorities and the public were also informed and had the opportunity to submit comments during the winter consultations. The next step involves the compilation of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and OX2 will submit it in 2023-2024.
The Neptunus energy hub could be operational in the early 2030s.
Hydrogen as an energy carrier
Hydrogen is expected to play a key role as an energy carrier in the future energy system. Indeed, heavy industry and transportation will and need solutions to reduce carbon emissions. Hydrogen can be used to store, transport and supply energy, as well as to convert it into other e-fuels. The planned Neptunus power generation would facilitate hydrogen production of up to 225,000 tons per year.
There is also the possibility of using a by-product of hydrogen production to oxygenate the bottom waters of the Baltic Sea in the project area.
The key role of the Neptunus offshore energy hub in the energy transition
The transition to hydrogen, fossil fuel free industries and general electrification requires huge amounts of renewable energy. Neptunus is therefore strategically located to play a key role in this transition. Emelie Zakrisson is responsible for offshore wind development in Sweden at OX2. She said, “I am pleased to announce that we have included another project in the Swedish development portfolio.
A constantly expanding portfolio of offshore wind projects
At the end of the fourth quarter of last year, OX2’s offshore wind project portfolio stood at 13.9 GW. The company continues to develop offshore wind projects around the world to contribute to the energy transition to renewable energy sources.
