Vattenfall has decided to initiate a project to produce fossil-free hydrogen in connection with the Ringhals nuclear power plant. This increases the flexibility in how the electricity grid and production can be utilized as Vattenfall plans for new electricity production from both nuclear power and offshore wind power in the vicinity.
Vattenfall has been allocated a connection point for the offshore wind farm Kattegatt Syd and a preliminary assessment, known as an indication, of the connection possibility for new nuclear power production at the Värö Peninsula. Through the new project, Vattenfall is developing a comprehensive solution for nuclear power and wind power together.
The new announcement from Svenska kraftnät (the Swedish national grid) provides Vattenfall with the opportunity to maximize the development of both nuclear power and wind power through the flexibility that hydrogen can offer. There is a high demand for hydrogen in large volumes from customers on the west coast, such as Preem and St1, with whom Vattenfall has previously collaborated to explore the possibility of starting the production of fossil-free electrofuels for use in aviation and road transportation.
“This is very positive for Vattenfall, especially for our customers and partners. We see enormous opportunities to reduce emissions on the Swedish west coast through direct and indirect electrification with fossil-free hydrogen, particularly for the refinery and petrochemical industry. There are good conditions for building electrolyzers at Ringhals and creating a highly flexible production facility for both fossil-free electricity and hydrogen,” says Andreas Regnell, Chief Strategy Officer at Vattenfall.
“It is good that Svenska kraftnät has made an overall assessment of Vattenfall’s applications for capacity to connect both new nuclear power and wind power. We can now continue the feasibility study on small modular reactors at Ringhals, which could both produce fossil-free electricity and hydrogen,” says Desirée Comstedt, responsible for business development for nuclear power within Vattenfall.
“Svenska kraftnät’s announcement is very welcome. Now we are taking the next step in the planning of the offshore wind farm Kattegatt Syd and how to best utilize the significant addition of fossil-free electricity production that both new wind power and nuclear power can provide,” says Johan Weimenhög, project manager for the offshore wind farm Kattegatt Syd.
The project for new electrolyzers to produce fossil-free hydrogen is a collaboration between the Generation and Wind business areas within Vattenfall.
