The Community's hydrogen cluster is the “first major project” of green hydrogen in Valencian territory and is part of the Renewable Hydrogen Alliance of the Valencian Community that will be presented “soon” and which will be joined by new “similar investment projects.” ” in the coming months. This Monday's signing is the first of a series of economic news that will occur until June of this year and that will advance "very important" investments for the Valencian Community, as the head of the Consell, Carlos Mazón, advanced last Thursday in the forum 'Money Meetings' by La Vanguardia in Valencia.
This was announced this Monday by the Generalitat Valenciana, which has signed an agreement of intent with BP to advance the energy transition through the promotion of the Green HyVal hydrogen project in Castelló. It, announced last year, could begin before this summer with an estimated investment of 2,000 million, 5,000 jobs, and the forecast to produce it as early as 2026.
This agreement comes one year after the definitive investment that BP wants to allocate to this project was announced, and which still depends on the Generalitat Valenciana declaring it a priority and the approval of the transposition of EU legislation on green hydrogen. to European regulations, which are still being processed.
This was explained by the president of BP Energía España, Andrés Guevara, after the signing of intentions in Castelló with the president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón. Guevara has indicated that the first phase, which would contemplate the construction of an electrolyzer - the largest in Spain - could begin once the investment is confirmed, which depends on the declaration of a strategic project and the adaptation of European regulations, in addition to other permits and authorizations, and has expressed his desire for it to be done before the month of July.
Starting next week, the first working committees will begin to take place that will address different aspects to be developed between the company and the Generalitat Valenciana.
A year ago, BP announced the investment of 2,000 million euros to convert its crude oil refinery in Castelló into a green hydrogen production center that would promote “the energy decarbonization of the Valencian Community,” Guevara indicated. However, Guevara explained today that this Monday's gesture is "crucial" for its transformation, as it "creates a platform for collaboration, work and dialogue" to advance the HyVal project that wants to "produce Valencian green hydrogen and triple biofuel production.” This will have a very positive effect, he added, not only in the refining and chemical sectors, but also in the ceramics sector.
Mazón has assured that HyVal is an example of public-private collaboration with which the Valencian Community "opens its arms to sustainable investment and balance." In fact, he stated that with this project “a new stage of growth and investment has arrived” in the Region and has stressed that this logistics center will improve the competitive capacity of the Valencian productive sectors.
The president has also highlighted the alliance between the Generalitat and bp in strategy for the next calls for PERTE and Next Generation European funds, to address it "with loyalty and a sense of State." Likewise, he has praised the coordination between public administrations such as the City Council, the Provincial Council and the port of Castelló together with the Generalitat to carry it out.
HyVal will supply green hydrogen and up to 650,000 tons of biofuels per year for the national and international market, the Generalitat Valenciana has assured. Furthermore, he maintains that it will have a direct impact on the application of alternative renewable energies for sectors such as chemicals and ceramics, as well as for air, maritime and heavy transport, among others, the president has indicated.
During his speech, the head of the Consell has advocated for administrative simplification as the “umbilical cord of the government's strategy of change”, as well as for fiscal competitiveness and a Valencian Community “open to investment without prejudice” for sustainable growth.
