Klaipėda State Seaport Authority has received a construction permit for the production and supply of green hydrogen for vessels, various types of port equipment, and private transportation.
Construction works are planned to start in June. A specialised site will be developed, with new engineering networks built or existing ones reconstructed (electricity, water supply, domestic and stormwater drainage, hydrogen pipelines, communication lines).
The hydrogen plant will be installed in a standard 40-foot sea container. The planned electricity demand for the hydrogen production equipment in Klaipėda Port is 2.25 megawatts (MW). The infrastructure will be adapted to supply hydrogen to vessels as well as to vehicles, trucks, and buses.
The station is expected to produce 127 tonnes of hydrogen annually. Alongside preparations for production, plans are underway for how this fuel will be utilised.
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Last year, Klaipėda State Seaport Authority signed a memorandum with the Klaipėda Port stevedoring company “Bega”. According to the agreement, the parties committed to exploring the use of green hydrogen in equipment operating within the terminal.
At the end of last year, a cooperation agreement was also signed with LTG Group, committing to explore the use of green hydrogen in railway transport, participate in EU-funded projects, and pool resources and expertise to develop a green hydrogen supply chain.
The project is being implemented under the Economic Recovery and Resilience Plan “Next Generation Lithuania”, funded by the European Union’s NextGenerationEU recovery and resilience facility.
The total estimated cost of the hydrogen production and refuelling station project is approximately €12 million ($13.6 million), with around €6 million ($6.8 million) financed by EU funds.
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“Klaipėda Port has set an ambitious goal – to become the first in Lithuania and the Baltic region operating a green hydrogen production station,” said Algis Latakas, Director General of the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority.
“Being the first means stepping into uncharted territory. That is not always easy, but it is undoubtedly worth it. By choosing the green path, Klaipėda Port demonstrates its commitment to the European Union’s and Lithuania’s obligations and is taking bold steps forward: next year, we plan to start producing green hydrogen, and a green hydrogen-powered vessel is already being built.”
Earlier this month, the Port of Klaipėda announced the opening of a modern fleet base that will house all of the port’s specialised equipment and serve as a new home for vessels.
