Ostend starts licensing process for offshore hydrogen production platform

In Ostend, the licensing procedure has started for the construction, operation and decommissioning of an innovative offshore platform for renewable hydrogen production. The project is part of the European HOPE (Hydrogen Offshore Production for Europe) project and is supported by the European Union through the Clean Hydrogen Partnership.

Lhyfe Oostende BV, subsidiary of Lhyfe SA and project partner submitted an application for an environmental permit for this. The plant will be located offshore, about 1.2 kilometres from the coast and within the Blue Accelerator's existing maritime safety zone. The platform produces hydrogen via water electrolysis and is connected to the electricity grid via a cable from land. The produced hydrogen is brought ashore via a pipeline.

The project contributes to the energy transition by producing hydrogen at sea using offshore wind energy. The project has no impact on the coastline or port of Ostend and does not include any large-scale constructions on land. There are also no additional restrictions on shipping traffic or the surrounding area.