Green hydrogen is gaining prominence in Europe"s energy strategy as geopolitical tensions and the need to meet climate goals drive the search for sustainable alternatives. Black & Veatch, a leader in critical human infrastructure and energy, aims to accelerate the production and adoption of green hydrogen, leveraging its expertise in developing innovative projects in this sector. "Reaching the target of 10 million tonnes by 2030 will strengthen the continent's energy security," Youssef Merjaneh, senior vice president and managing director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Black & Veatch, tells Strategic Energy Europe.
A Growing Market Driven by Regulation, Investment One of the main drivers of renewable hydrogen adoption in Europe is regulatory support and financial incentives. The European Hydrogen Bank has played a crucial role in encouraging green hydrogen production. Its first auction awarded 1,502 MW to seven winning projects, with a total funding of 719 million euros. Notably, three of these projects are based in Spain, reinforcing its strategic role in Europe"s energy transition. "Spain is a key country in our EMEA development plan. The fact that three of the selected projects are located there demonstrates Black & Veatch"s alignment with market trends and commitment to accelerating the energy transition in Europe," declares David Agra, sales director de Europe, Middle East and Africa at Black & Veatch. The second round increased investment to 1.2 billion euros, aiming to bridge the cost gap between green hydrogen and fossil fuels. "These auctions create a fair and transparent competition, attracting private investment and driving innovation in the hydrogen sector," declares Merjaneh. The initiative also reinforces the European Union's commitment to the energy transition and decarbonisation. The Impact of the War in Ukraine and the Need for Energy Diversification The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has accelerated Europe's energy transition. Gas and oil price volatility, coupled with supply uncertainties, has driven European countries to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. "The war has highlighted Europe's need for energy independence. Green hydrogen can play a critical role in the overall solution to reduce vulnerability to external crises and stabilise energy supply," explains Merjaneh. However, major hydrogen projects, such as hydrogen corridors, face challenges related to trade barriers, infrastructure development and high initial costs. International cooperation and clear regulations will be essential to overcoming these obstacles. Project Optimisation: The Answer to Green Hydrogen's Economic Viability
Black & Veatch works across the entire Hydrogen lifecycle and is building 365 MW of electrolysis capacity across three projects scheduled to go commercial
before 2025. Despite its potential, renewable hydrogen still faces cost challenges. It is currently more expensive than fossil fuels, but its price is expected to drop significantly in the coming decade. According to estimates from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), green hydrogen production costs could decrease by 50% by 2030, thanks to economies of scale and technological advances in electrolysis and storage. Additionally, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology could lower the carbon footprint of blue hydrogen produced from fossil sources, aiding the transition to a cleaner energy system. To address cost challenges, Black & Veatch focuses on contributing to cost reduction through project optimisation. "Our approach is to partner early on in the Hydrogen journey, to de-risk the project, develop a realistic execution schedule and costs and identify potential areas for cost optimizations, Merjaneh mentions. Agra adds: "We work with developers to make their projects economically viable by applying efficiency and scalability strategies".
Panguitch Solar and Battery Energy Storage project in Utah, USA: Black & Veatch has been involved in more than 21 GWh of energy storage project experience, globally. In Europe, Black & Veatch is engaged in multiple green hydrogen projects, working on solutions for large-scale production, storage, and distribution. The company aims to leverage its engineering and construction expertise to ensure efficient and high-quality project execution. Black & Veatch at the SStorage, Renewable and Electric Vehicles Integration Forum Collaboration between companies, regulators and experts is essential for advancing green hydrogen. Black & Veatch will participate in the Storage, Renewable and Electric Vehicles Integration Forum, a virtual event organised by Strategic Energy Corp, Strategic Energy Europe and Mobility Portal Europe. The company will play a key role on Feb. 19, participating in Panel 2: Market Innovation & Trends The Role of Batteries & Green Hydrogen (English), where it will discuss the role of green hydrogen and its integration with other clean technologies. "We look forward to sharing best practices, lessons learned and exploring new collaboration opportunities in the European hydrogen market," expresses Merjaneh. "We have established a strong position in the U.S. and U.K. market, and we want to apply that knowledge in Europe to advance decarbonisation and carbon neutrality." The event is free to attend, and registration is now open at the following link: Free registration here ⏰ Event Time by Country: x R 07:00 Colombia Peru Ecuador x R 12:00 United Kingdom Portugal x R 13:00 Spain Netherlands Italy x R 20:00 China
By Energía Estratégica
By Emilia Lardizabal
By Ailén Pedrotti
