Air Liquide invests €500M in 200 MW electrolyzer ELYgator, boosting Europe’s renewable hydrogen capacity and reducing industrial carbon emissions.
Air Liquide has officially made the final investment decision to move forward with the construction of ELYgator, a cutting-edge 200 MW electrolyzer to be developed at Maasvlakte in the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands. This bold step marks a major advancement in the company’s contribution to Europe’s decarbonization goals, particularly in the areas of low-carbon hydrogen production and sustainable industrial transformation.
The ELYgator project underscores Air Liquide’s strategic leadership in renewable hydrogen and aligns with the broader European agenda for climate neutrality. Designed to generate up to 23,000 tons of renewable hydrogen per year, the electrolyzer is expected to contribute significantly to reducing industrial emissions and supporting green mobility across the region. Its operation is projected to cut up to 300,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually, making it one of Europe’s most impactful renewable hydrogen initiatives.
The project has garnered strong institutional backing, receiving critical financial support from the Dutch government via the OWE (Oher Wind Energy) subsidy scheme. This national assistance complements earlier funding from the European Innovation Fund and the Dutch Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) program. These combined efforts, alongside improved regulatory conditions, have been vital in enabling the project’s development.
In February 2025, Air Liquide announced a substantial investment exceeding €500 million to finance the construction, ownership, and operation of the facility. As part of the initiative, the electrolyzer will also supply TotalEnergies’ industrial platform in the region under a long-term agreement, ensuring that a major portion of the renewable hydrogen produced will be directly utilized by key industry players.
What sets the ELYgator project apart is its unique integration of two electrolysis technologies—Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) and Alkaline—within a single installation. This hybrid design offers operational flexibility and sets a new benchmark for industrial hydrogen production infrastructure. The project is currently scheduled to be fully operational by the end of 2027.
Emilie Mouren-Renouard, a member of Air Liquide’s Group Executive Committee with responsibility for European operations, emphasized the significance of the development, stating, “This investment decision marks a crucial milestone in our renewable hydrogen journey. We are convinced that large-scale projects like ELYgator will be transformative for both European industry and the transportation sector. The unwavering support of the Dutch government has been key in making this a reality. ELYgator is a tangible expression of our ambition to contribute to Europe’s climate goals and advance real technological solutions for a sustainable future.”
With this ambitious initiative, Air Liquide not only deepens its involvement in clean energy solutions but also plays a pivotal role in driving Europe toward its 2050 climate neutrality objectives.
