Shell undertakes green hydrogen project with Brazil's Acu port

International Resource News - 23 May 2022

European oil company Shell has signed a memorandum of understanding with Brazil's Acu Port for the joint development of a pilot plant to generate green hydrogen at the port's extensive Rio de Janeiro state facilities, Reuters has reported.

Initially, the project will introduce a research laboratory to develop learning and carry out decarbonisation tests. Shell intends to invest between USD60 million and USD120 million in research, development and innovation in Brazil this year. Some of that investment will be spent on the green hydrogen pilot plant, which is due for completion in 2025 and will initially have capacity of 10 megawatts, potentially reaching 100 MW. Shell has said that power from Brazil's national grid will be connected to the electrolysis plant to generate green hydrogen, which will be mainly destined for storage and subsequent shipment to potential consumers.

Shell Brazil president Andre Araujo said, 'With this pilot, we aim to promote the development of the entire value chain of renewable hydrogen generation.'

Acu Port, which has Washington DC-based infrastructure investor EIG Global Energy Partners as its main stakeholder, already has solar and offshore wind renewable initiatives underway.