The industrial gases company Air Products has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with RWE. Through the agreement, the company secures renewable electricity for its existing hydrogen facilities in Rotterdam as well as for the hydrogen liquefaction plant under construction there.
The up to 75 GWh of green electricity annually will come from the onshore wind farm Karolinapolder at Volkerak near Dinteloord and from the solar park Kerkrade in the Dutch province of Limburg. Both facilities are operated by RWE.
Green electricity for RFNBO-compliant hydrogen
With the electricity from the PPA, Air Products aims to produce hydrogen in Rotterdam that meets the requirements of the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) for renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO). This allows the hydrogen to be counted towards legal quotas for renewable energy in Europe.
In addition to the existing hydrogen facilities, the new liquefaction plant by Air Products will also be supplied with green electricity. This plant is expected to be the largest production site for liquid hydrogen in Europe after its commissioning in 2027.
According to Miquel Lope, Vice President and General Manager Northern Continent at Air Products, customers will gain "access to reliable hydrogen with a lower CO2 footprint, supported by proven infrastructure, established production expertise, and a diversified supply of renewable energy." As the demand for RFNBO-compliant hydrogen in Europe grows, Air Products is investing to provide customers with planning security, says Lope.
Customers from various industrial sectors
Liquid hydrogen from Rotterdam is to be used in electronics manufacturing, aerospace applications, industrial processes, the transport sector, and new energy applications, among others. Ulf Kerstin, Chief Commercial Officer of RWE Supply & Trading, says: "The supply of the liquefaction plant in Rotterdam shows how integrated solutions from wind energy, solar energy, and hydrogen can accelerate the energy transition."
Air Products, based in the USA, describes itself as the world's largest hydrogen supplier and has been active in the business field for around 70 years. The group achieved a turnover of twelve billion US dollars in the fiscal year 2025 and is active in about 50 countries. In addition to supplying industrial gases, the company develops and operates its own hydrogen projects.
RWE Supply & Trading is the trading arm of the energy group RWE and employs more than 2,000 people according to its own information. The company trades in electricity, gas, commodities, and CO2 emission certificates and markets the electricity from RWE power plants.
