OMV Petrom, the largest integrated power producer in South-Eastern Europe, announces the delivery of the first electrolyzer module for green hydrogen production at the Petrobrazi refinery, which is to be installed and connected to the electricity grid, the company announced. This is an important milestone in the construction of the new unit that will support the production of sustainable fuels, SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) and HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil or diesel from renewable sources).
“The start of delivery of the modules for the 20 MW green hydrogen capacity marks an important step in transforming the Petrobrazi refinery into the largest sustainable fuels production hub in the region and contributes, at the same time, to the achievement of the objectives of Romania’s PNRR. The green hydrogen we will produce will support the production of SAF and HVO, essential fuels for low-emission mobility. The sustainable fuels unit represents a key milestone in our energy transition and in our commitment to contribute to the decarbonization of transport,” said Radu Căprău, Member of the OMV Petrom Management Board.
The first electrolyzer module has been delivered to Petrobrazi, and the remaining three modules of the 20 MW project will be delivered in the coming months.
The equipment is supplied by Neuman & Esser from Germany, and the construction works, logistics, manufacturing of building components and the assembly of the modules at Petrobrazi are carried out by Kraftanlagen Romania in partnership with local suppliers.
The 20 MW electrolyzer will have the capacity to produce approximately 3,000 tons of green hydrogen per year to support the production of biofuels at Petrobrazi.
The 20 MW green hydrogen plant project benefits from approximately EUR 21 million in non-reimbursable funds through the PNRR.
The SAF HVO program involves total investments of EUR 750 million: EUR 560 million for the construction of the SAF-HVO unit and EUR 190 million for the two green hydrogen production plants. The new SAF/HVO unit will have an annual capacity of 250,000 tons. Construction works started last year and production is planned for 2028.
The two green hydrogen projects, with a total installed capacity of 55 MW and an annual production of approximately 8,000 tons, will be used for the production of sustainable SAF and HVO fuels, obtained from vegetable oils and waste oils. These fuels can reduce CO₂ emissions by at least 65% over the entire economic cycle. In the production process, hydrogen plays an essential role: through hydrorefining, it helps eliminate unwanted compounds from oils, facilitating their conversion into sustainable fuels compatible with current infrastructure.
The hydrogen produced at Petrobrazi will be green hydrogen, obtained through the electrolysis of water, using energy from renewable sources – the cleanest form of hydrogen.