By: ICN Bureau
Last updated : June 27, 2025 9:32 am
Partnering to enable safe hydrogen storage in salt caverns in Cantabria
Solvay and Enagás have signed an agreement to develop a hydrogen storage hub in Polanco, Cantabria. The project will leverage Solvay's proven expertise in developing salt caverns infrastructure - originally created for soda ash production operations and repurposed into storage under the coordination of Enagás, which brings its expertise in energy transport and hydrogen infrastructure to integrate this capacity into Spain’s future energy system.
This initiative supports Spain’s ambition to become a key producer and exporter of renewable hydrogen. The caverns will provide a safe, flexible, and scalable solution for storing renewable hydrogen - supporting the network stability and helping address renewable electricity intermittency.
“This collaboration with Enagás underscores the European chemical industry’s strategic role in enabling clean energy solutions,” said Etienne Galan, President of Solvay’s Soda Ash and Derivatives business. “We're especially grateful to partner with Enagás, whose proven infrastructure expertise and strong commitment are accelerating green hydrogen development.”
Enagás CEO Arturo Gonzalo emphasized that "this agreement is a key milestone in the development of Spain's hydrogen backbone," adding that "by combining our experience in energy infrastructure with Solvay's industrial capabilities, we are laying the foundations for a robust and flexible hydrogen network that will help achieve both national and European decarbonization goals and boost competitiveness".
The project, developed in coordination with local stakeholders, strengthens Solvay’s position as a leading provider of salt cavern infrastructure in Europe - building on its legacy of over 100 caverns in Germany and now expanding into Spain.