MOL Group has inaugurated the largest green hydrogen plant in Central and Eastern Europe, located in Százhalombatta, Hungary.
With a capacity of 10 megawatts, this US$23 million investment is a significant step towards sustainable fuel production, aiming to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the Danube Refinery by 25,000 tonnes annually.
This venture marks a milestone in the hydrogen economy, enabling MOL to produce 1,600 tonnes of clean, carbon-neutral green hydrogen yearly.
Aligned with MOL Group’s SHAPE TOMORROW corporate strategy, the investment underscores the commitment to fostering sustainability, competitiveness, and self-sufficiency in the region.
In addition, utilizing Plug Power’s innovative electrolysis technology, the plant will gradually transition away from natural gas-based production processes, responsible for one-sixth of MOL Group’s total carbon dioxide emissions.
Scheduled to commence operations in the second half of 2024, the green hydrogen produced will primarily fuel MOL’s own network for production. Plug Power’s electrolysis equipment, powered by renewable energy sources, efficiently splits water into hydrogen and oxygen without generating polluting by-products.
In fact, for every tonne of hydrogen produced, the plant yields 8-9 tonnes of pure oxygen, contributing to environmental sustainability. With nearly five decades of operational expertise, Plug Power’s hydrogen generators offer MOL Group a reliable and innovative solution for clean hydrogen production.
“MOL Group has reached another milestone: we can now produce green hydrogen without producing any greenhouse gases. Using this technology, we can achieve the same emissions reduction as if we took roughly 5,500 cars off the road overnight. Today, our new green hydrogen plant is only making MOL’s industrial operations greener, but tomorrow it will offer solutions for the whole industry and hydrogen mobility. After Száhalombatta, we will take the technology to the other two fuel production units of the group to make the fuel production process more sustainable at each of MOL Group’s refineries” stated József Molnár, CEO of MOL Group.
The investment aligns with MOL Group’s corporate strategy, SHAPE TOMORROW, which seeks to enhance sustainability, competitiveness, and self-sufficiency in the region.
“We are thrilled to celebrate, in partnership with MOL, the inauguration of one of Europe’s largest green hydrogen plants supporting a refinery. As a potent way to reduce carbon emissions within refinery operations, we are proud to equip MOL with cutting-edge electrolyzer technology to efficiently produce green hydrogen. Together, we are advancing towards carbon neutrality, fostering greener operations, and propelling the hydrogen economy forward,” added Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug.
