Twelve million euros will be invested to create a green hydrogen production and distribution unit in the Grand Châteaudun area (Eure-et-Loir).
The company CVE (Let's Change Our Vision of Energy) and the community of municipalities announced, Wednesday January 31, 2024 at the Hyvolution exhibition in Paris, the launch of cooperation to develop this power plant with an initial capacity of "from 2 to 2.5 megawatts of electrolysis or 800 kg of hydrogen per day,” confides Paul-Robert Parisot, responsible for Hydrogen development at CVE
The establishment of this production unit will require an area of at least 6,000 m² on the former 400 ha air base.
The land must be compatible with the activity because the unit must be connected to an electrical source.
The future photovoltaic power plant is an option but “a steering committee will allow the land to be identified during the two-year development phase,” said Fabien Verdier, the president of the greater Châteaudun community council.
Green hydrogen for local businesses
“The commissioning of the unit is hoped for at the end of 2026, beginning of 2027,” insists the regional manager at CVE.
This scalable installation can be adapted according to the region's hydrogen needs.
“We offer hydrogen when it is virtuous for use,” assures Paul-Robert Parisot.
The unit should offer a direct decarbonization solution for heavy mobility, such as buses, garbage trucks, wood weights or for logisticians, forklifts,” lists the specialist.
Ultimately, the unit could supply widespread industry, aviation or even rail.
“We are in the logic of a circular economy in a decentralized model.
We come to install our units in the heart of the territories, a bit like a short energy circuit to supply local players,” confides the development manager.
This is the second project in France for this company.
The territory of Grand Châteaudun would be fertile for hydrogen due to its industrial dynamism after the recent establishments of Vorwerk and Alltricks and the reconversion project of the former military base.
“It is a rural territory, winner of France 2030, industrial territories.
Hydrogen will find its rightful place inside the future hub of the aerodrome reconversion project through sustainable aviation and heavy mobility,” guarantees Paul-Robert Parisot.
For the Dunois elected official, renewable hydrogen represents “a sector of the future and a lever of competitiveness for businesses”.
“Around ten direct and indirect jobs will be generated thanks to the mobilization of local companies and partners for the construction site, operation and maintenance of the production site” promises CVE, which has 400 employees around the world.