Italian engineering company Techfem has finished the construction of the Hydrogen Valley in the southern italian city Lamezia Terme. The term Hydrogen Valley refers to a geographically defined ecosystem in which green hydrogen is produced, stored and supplied to local industrial and mobility users on site. In this case, the plant combines on-site renewable power generation, electrolysis, compression, storage and a loading bay for tube trailers within a single facility on a former industrial area.
Techfem handled the engineering design and EPC execution on behalf of client and future plant operator Teca Gas. According to the company, it is the first project of its kind in the Calabria region and the only one developed by a private beneficiary under Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). The project was funded with 6.85 million euros.
Green hydrogen produced at pressure from renewable sources
The Hydrogen Valley centres on a 2 MW PEM electrolyzer supplied by IMI. The plant includes storage and compression systems with pressures of up to 220 barg, a 480 kW photovoltaic array made up of 750 modules, and a loading bay for filling tube trailers used to transport hydrogen to off-site users.
According to Techfem, the configuration allows green hydrogen to be produced directly at pressure from renewable sources. Energy consumption is stated at 55 kWh per kilogram of H2 at full capacity, below the 58 kWh/kg threshold set by the NRRP. The first offtakers will be the local metalworking industry as well as existing and future transport systems. Teca Gas also plans to produce hydromethane at the site, with an expected annual output of 85 tonnes, aimed at public transport operators.
Test phase starts now, regular operation scheduled for September 2026
The plant will now undergo tests and regulatory inspections carried out by Techfem. Once the authorization process is completed, operations are scheduled to begin in September 2026.
"The construction of the Lamezia Terme Hydrogen Valley is the result of a forward-looking vision and a solid collaboration between Techfem and Teca Gas," said Federico Ferrini, CEO of Techfem. He added that the project represents recognition of the company's ability to manage the entire lifecycle of a process plant, from design through to construction.
Pasquale Rocca, Technical Manager of Teca Gas, described the project as the start of a strategic path for the region: "Calabria must continue decisively toward the energy transition and the goal of zero impact, harnessing natural resources such as water and sunlight through electrolysis."
Techfem, headquartered in Fano, has operated in the energy sector since 1984 and employs more than 400 people across five European offices. Teca Gas, founded in 2008 and based in Lamezia Terme, specializes in LPG distribution systems and the sale and transport of liquid and gaseous fuels. The company employs 70 people.
