Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), in partnership with Vestas, Naturgy, Enagás and Fertiberia, has announced the development of the first phase of Project Catalina in Spain.
The green hydrogen and ammonia project has been designed to facilitate 5GW of solar and wind capacity in Aragon, Spain, producing green hydrogen through a 2GW electrolyser.
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CIP said that the first phase of Project Catalina is in an ‘advanced development stage’ and will comprise wind and solar energy facilities with 1.7GW of total capacity, as well as a 500MW electrolyser that can produce more than 40,000t of green hydrogen a year.
Construction works for Catalina Phase I are scheduled to begin by the end of next year. This phase is expected to be fully developed and approved in less than two years.
The project is estimated to create up to 5,000 jobs during its construction and installation phases.
Its first phase is expected to offset one million tonnes of carbon emissions and around 2.5 million tonnes a year once fully implemented.
Catalina Phase I will also apply for grid connection in Andorra, Teruel, at the Mudejar auction.
Project Catalina aims to bring Aragon’s renewable resources to industrial consumption points on the Spanish Eastern coast.
Once fully operational, the project is expected to generate enough green hydrogen to meet 30% of Spain’s current demand for hydrogen.
CIP partner Søren Toftgard said: “Spain, and in particular Aragon, offers good conditions for the development of this technology due to its excellent solar and wind resource, the political backing and proximity to demand centres.
“We look forward to continuing working with our partners to bring this project to life.”
In December last year, Vestas acquired a 25% stake in CIP for €500m ($612m) and agreed to invest in a new ‘Energy Transition Fund’ managed by CIP as an anchor investor.
