New project for fossil-free hydrogen at Ringhals nuclear power plant
Vattenfall has decided to start a project to produce fossil-free hydrogen in connection with the Ringhals nuclear power plant. This will increase flexibility in how the grid and electricity production can be utilised when Vattenfall plans for new electricity production from both nuclear power and offshore wind power in the surrounding area.
Ringhals nuclear power plant – Image: Vattenfall
Vattenfall has been awarded a connection point for the Kattegat South offshore wind farm and a preliminary assessment, known as an indication, of the connection possibility for new nuclear power generation on 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 provides conditions for Vattenfall to maximise the development of both nuclear and wind power through the flexibility that hydrogen gas can offer. Hydrogen is being demanded in large volumes by customers on the west coast, such as Preem and St1, with whom Vattenfall has already been collaborating to investigate the possibility of starting production of fossil-free electrofuels for use in nuclear power. fossil-free electric fuels for use in air and road transport.
"This is very positive for Vattenfall and not least for our customers and partners. We see huge opportunities to reduce emissions on the Swedish west coast through direct and indirect electrification with fossil-free hydrogen, especially for the refinery and petrochemical industry. There are good conditions for building electrolysers at Ringhals and creating a very flexible production facility for both fossil-free electricity and hydrogen," says Andreas Regnell, Head of Strategy at Vattenfall.
"It is good that Svenska kraftnät has made an overall assessment of Vattenfall's applications for capacity for connection of both new nuclear power and wind power. We can now continue the feasibility study on small modular reactors at Ringhals that could produce both fossil-free electricity and hydrogen," says Desirée Comstedt, head of business development for nuclear power at Vattenfall.
"Svenska kraftnät's decision is very welcome. We are now taking the next step in the planning of the Kattegatt South offshore wind farm and how we can best utilise the large addition of fossil-free electricity production that both new wind power and nuclear power can provide," says Johan Weimenhög, project manager for the Kattegatt South offshore wind farm.
The project on new electrolysers for production of fossil-free hydrogen is a collaboration between Vattenfall's Generation and Wind Business Areas.
