OMV Petrom, the largest integrated energy producer in South-Eastern Europe, announces the delivery of the first electrolyser module for the production of green hydrogen at the Petrobrazi refinery, to be installed and connected to the power network. This is an important milestone in the construction of the new unit that will enable the production of sustainable fuels, SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) and HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil or renewable diesel).
“Starting the delivery of the modules for the 20 MW green hydrogen capacity marks an important step in transforming the Petrobrazi refinery into the largest sustainable fuel production hub in the region, contributing at the same time to the achievement of Romania’s NRRP targets. The green hydrogen to be produced will support the production of SAF and HVO, essential fuels for low-emission mobility. The sustainable fuels unit represents a key milestone in our energy transition and commitment to contribute to the decarbonization of transportation,” said Radu Căprău, Member of the OMV Petrom Executive Board.
The first electrolyser module has been delivered to Petrobrazi refinery, while the remaining three modules of the 20 MW project will be delivered in the following months.
The equipment is supplied by Neuman & Esser from Germany, while the site construction, unloading, fabrication of construction elements and integration of the modules within Petrobrazi refinery are being carried out by Kraftanlagen Romania in partnership with local suppliers.
The 20 MW green hydrogen plant will have the capacity to produce approximately 3,000 tons of green hydrogen per year to support the production of biofuels at Petrobrazi.
The project for the 20 MW green hydrogen plant benefits from around EUR 21 million non-reimbursable funds through PNRR.
About the SAF/HVO program at Petrobrazi
The SAF HVO program involves total investments of EUR 750 million: EUR 560 million for the construction of the SAF/HVO unit and EUR 190 million for the two green hydrogen production facilities. The new SAF/HVO unit will have an annual capacity of 250,000 tons. Construction began last year and start of production is planned for 2028.
The two green hydrogen projects, with a total installed capacity of 55 MW and an annual production of around 8,000 tons, will be used to produce sustainable SAF and HVO fuels, obtained from vegetable and used cooking oils. These fuels can reduce CO₂ emissions by at least 65% over the entire economic cycle. In the production process, hydrogen plays an essential role: through hydro-fining, it contributes to the elimination of unwanted compounds from oils, facilitating their conversion into sustainable fuels compatible with the current infrastructure.
The hydrogen produced at Petrobrazi will be green hydrogen, obtained by electrolysis of water using energy from renewable sources — the cleanest form of hydrogen.