OMV Petrom has reached a major milestone in its green hydrogen expansion at the Petrobrazi refinery, bringing total planned production capacity to 55 MW with the delivery of a second 35 MW electrolyzer.

 

All seven modules of the new electrolyzer have now been delivered to the refinery, adding to the 20 MW unit already delivered earlier this year.

 

The expansion is aimed at supplying green hydrogen for refinery operations, including the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) at a new facility currently under construction.

 

“Reaching 55 MW of green hydrogen production capacity at Petrobrazi is an important step for our refinery. Green hydrogen will be used in refinery processes, including for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), contributing to reducing the emissions of these fuels compared with conventional alternatives. 

 

"We are also advancing the construction of a 250,000-tonne-per-year SAF/HVO facility, which will position OMV Petrom as the first major producer of sustainable fuels in Southeast Europe,” said Radu Căprău, Member of the Executive Board responsible for Refining and Marketing.

 

The second project comprises seven 5 MW electrolysis modules supplied by Germany’s Neuman & Esser. The modules were delivered over the past two months and are now being integrated into the refinery infrastructure.

 

Construction, logistics, component manufacturing and module assembly are being carried out by Kraftanlagen Romania in partnership with local suppliers.

 

The 35 MW project has secured approximately €29 million in non-reimbursable funding through Romania’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

 

Once operational, the new electrolyzer is expected to produce around 4,700 tonnes of green hydrogen a year, using renewable electricity. Combined with the first project, the two electrolyzers are expected to produce approximately 8,000 tonnes annually.

 

The green hydrogen will feed refinery processes, including the production of SAF and HVO from vegetable and waste oils. OMV Petrom says the fuels can cut CO₂ emissions by at least 65% over their full life cycle while remaining compatible with existing infrastructure.

 

The development comes as OMV Petrom advances construction of a 250,000-tonne-per-year SAF/HVO facility at Petrobrazi, a project intended to strengthen the company's position in the emerging sustainable fuels market in Southeast Europe.