TotalEnergies has taken another step toward reducing emissions in its European refineries by forming a partnership with Air Liquide. The collaboration focuses on utilizing green hydrogen to lower the environmental impact of refinery operations in Northern Europe. Two projects in the Netherlands are set to produce significant amounts of green hydrogen, targeting emissions reductions in Belgium and the Netherlands. This initiative comes as part of broader efforts by TotalEnergies to align its operations with European renewable energy goals and corporate sustainability targets. The move also reflects a growing industry trend where major energy companies seek alternative energy solutions to meet their climate commitments.
TotalEnergies has previously engaged in hydrogen and renewable energy projects with Air Liquide, including the TEAL Mobility joint venture launched in 2024 to establish a network of hydrogen fueling stations for heavy-duty trucks. The company has also secured agreements for green hydrogen supply for several refineries, including sites in France and Germany. The new agreement further expands this partnership, reinforcing TotalEnergies’ focus on hydrogen as a key component of its long-term decarbonization strategy. Compared to past collaborations, the latest projects mark a larger investment in hydrogen production capacity and infrastructure.
How Will the Projects Reduce Refinery Emissions?
The newly announced projects include a 250 MW electrolyzer near the Zeeland refinery, which will produce up to 30,000 tons of green hydrogen annually. This hydrogen will primarily serve Zeeland’s platform, contributing to emission reductions across TotalEnergies’ operations. Additionally, TotalEnergies has secured 130 MW of capacity from Air Liquide’s 200 MW ELYgator electrolyzer at Maasvlakte to supply its Antwerp platform. Combined, these initiatives are expected to lower CO2 emissions by up to 450,000 tons per year, supporting European climate policies and industrial sustainability objectives.
What Is the Role of Renewable Energy in These Projects?
Green hydrogen production for these projects will rely on renewable electricity from the OranjeWind offshore wind farm, developed by TotalEnergies and RWE. By utilizing wind power, the initiative aligns with European strategies to integrate renewables into industrial energy consumption. The collaboration between TotalEnergies and Air Liquide also extends to electricity supply, with TotalEnergies agreeing to provide renewable power from OranjeWind to Air Liquide for hydrogen production, creating a circular energy system that further cuts emissions.
Both companies are seeking financial support from European and national subsidy programs to fund the projects. Each partner is committing approximately €600 million, with additional external funding being explored. The large-scale investment highlights the financial commitment required for energy transition initiatives and the role of public-private cooperation in advancing clean hydrogen production.
Executives from both companies emphasized the significance of the partnership in reducing emissions in hard-to-abate sectors. Emilie Mouren-Renouard, member of the Air Liquide Executive Committee responsible for Europe operations, stated:
“Flagship projects such as the ones we are announcing today, will play a key role in reducing emissions, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors such as industry and heavy mobility. We are proud to lead the way on European renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production, and to accompany TotalEnergies in their journey to decarbonizing their industrial assets.”
TotalEnergies is working towards its goal of replacing 500,000 tons of refinery hydrogen with green hydrogen by 2030, which could result in a CO2 reduction of about 5 million tons annually. Vincent Stoquart, President of Refining & Chemicals at TotalEnergies, highlighted the significance of this latest collaboration:
“Following the first partnership agreement with Air Liquide to supply the Normandy refinery with green hydrogen, and the agreements to supply the Grandpuits and La Mède biorefineries with renewable hydrogen, the partnership with Air Liquide takes on a new dimension and marks a new step in TotalEnergies’ ambition to decarbonize the hydrogen consumed by its refineries in Europe by 2030.”
The increasing adoption of green hydrogen in refinery operations demonstrates a shift in energy strategies among major oil and gas companies. Given the high emissions associated with fossil fuel processing, the replacement of conventional hydrogen with renewable alternatives represents a step toward lowering industrial carbon footprints. While the success of these projects depends on infrastructure development and regulatory support, the collaboration between TotalEnergies and Air Liquide reflects a broader industry effort to explore scalable hydrogen solutions. As hydrogen production technologies evolve, cost reductions and efficiency improvements may further accelerate adoption. However, challenges such as electricity sourcing, project financing, and hydrogen transportation infrastructure remain key considerations for future expansion.
