Romania’s OMV Petrom has added a second 35MW electrolyzer at its Petrobrazi refinery, expanding green hydrogen production capacity from an existing 20MW to a total of 55MW, industry publication Hydrocarbon Processing reported on August 31. The expansion is expected to enable production of approximately 8,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually, it is reported.
The newly added 35MW electrolyzer reportedly received approximately €29 million in grant support from Romania’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). The green hydrogen produced is expected to be used in the production of low-carbon fuels including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), it is said.
Total installed electrolyzer capacity stands at 55MW (20MW existing plus 35MW new), with annual green hydrogen production confirmed at approximately 8,000 tonnes. The new 35MW unit received approximately €29 million in grant support under Romania’s NRRP.
In response to the European Union’s low-carbon fuel mandates, refiners have continued to expand green hydrogen-based SAF and HVO production capacity. OMV Petrom’s latest expansion is reported to be part of this broader policy response.
Expanding green hydrogen production facilities within refineries represents a leading example of converting existing refining assets into low-carbon fuel production hubs, illustrating a broader decarbonization investment trend across the European refining industry. This could translate into additional demand for electrolyzers and related renewable-linked equipment.
Key points to watch include when the green hydrogen produced translates into expanded actual SAF and HVO output, and whether further electrolyzer expansion plans are announced.