Smartenergy is developing a 200MWe renewable hydrogen plant in Sardinia, located in the industrial area of Porto Torres. The project receives the consent of the Provincial Industrial Consortium of Sassari.
The Industrial Consortium agrees
Smartenergy is taking an important step with this project. In fact, the Provincial Industrial Consortium of Sassari has given its approval for this project. It includes the construction and operation of the renewable hydrogen plant carried by the company.
Considered one of the most important industrial areas in Italy, Porto Torres is constantly expanding. However, for some years now, the area has wanted to accelerate its transition to a clean production model. Since then, the Industrial Consortium has contributed to the implementation of decarbonization projects such as the one led by Smartenergy.
The president of the Provincial Industrial Consortium of Sassari, Mr. Valerio Scanu, underlines this will:
“In particular, it has initiated development policies aimed at promoting the construction of ground-mounted photovoltaic plants for the production of green hydrogen. For these reasons, CIPSS governance has shown great interest in the industrial initiative promoted by Smartenergy.”
The project will be built in three phases and will be completed by 2030. It will bring the country one step closer to independence from Russian gas.
A potential for decarbonation
Smartenergy would begin the feasibility study for the project in 2021. The company identifies great potential for decarbonization of the Porto Torres area. Indeed, this area has been suffering from high carbon emissions for several years as explained by Massimo Poli, Country Manager Italy of Smartenergy:
“We are particularly proud to have the opportunity to redevelop a great area like Porto Torres, which has been damaged by years of intensive exploitation by the petrochemical industry for refining hydrocarbons. We will help restore the area by bringing new value and green technology to benefit the Sardinian community.”
Named “H2 Porto Torres”, the project aims to create an energy ecosystem between wind, solar and hydrogen. Indeed, by taking advantage of existing and developing renewable energy sources, the company wants to reach a capacity of 500MWp. Therefore, the project should provide “a renewable hydrogen mix” to sectors that are difficult to control.
The project is in line with the 2030 goals of decarbonization and renewable hydrogen blending. The gas network will be developed in three phases, with a capacity of between 20 and 200MWe. Smartenergy announces that the activity will start in the first half of 2023.
