HYdrogen Offshore DunkerquE

2026-07-22

The project aims to develop innovative solutions for securing renewable hydrogen production, storage, offloading and transport in marine environment and delivery to industrial offtakers. For the first time, the unique venture employs disruptive approaches to offshore hydrogen generation and solutions for components, notably in the design and implementation of a compact marine proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser, subsea storage and compressed hydrogen vessel transport solutions. HYODE will produce 46 189 tons of renewable hydrogen during its first ten years of operation and completely avoid greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to fossil-based hydrogen production through steam methane reforming. HYODE will develop, test, validate, and continuously refine its centralised offshore renewable hydrogen production. The pilot is expected to run at a novel scale of 30 megawatts (MW) and tackle pivotal technological, operational, and regulatory challenges. Indeed, HYODE is set to bridge the gap between current small-scale endeavours (smaller than 10 MW) and upcoming utility-scale commercial ventures (larger than 500MW), thus encompassing the entire renewable hydrogen industrial value chain from offshore production sites to ports. HYODE’s production will avoid 315 930 tons of CO2 emissions over its first ten years of operation, the equivalent to emissions of over 150 000 flights from Paris to New York. The project is fully aligned with industrial and decarbonisation policy priorities, contributing to the Net-Zero Industry Act and the REPowerEU Plan. Through close collaboration with industrial and academic partners, it will support the emergence of a European offshore renewable hydrogen value chain, positioning the continent as a technological frontrunner. With a replication potential estimated at over 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2050, HYODE will lay the groundwork for its solution’s widespread replication and scaling. HYODE will be located off the coast of Dunkirk in the north of France. The project will leverage a dynamic environment, existing skills, and infrastructures, as well as local authorities’ support to participate in decarbonising one of Europe’s leading industrial clusters. Scale-up of the HYODE pilot approach and innovative solutions at other sites will create new and qualified jobs (requiring engineering and technical capabilities) in engineering, manufacturing, operation, and maintenance. HYODE will also contribute to the creation of a European industrial value chain for offshore hydrogen, capable of supporting the ramp-up of the industry, thereby adding value to the local or regional economy and enhancing the resilience of the European economy.

France

2026-03-01