Mitsubishi, Shell to build wind farms to manufacture green hydrogen

Japan’s leading trading player Mitsubishi Corp and Britain’s oil giant Shell Plc are in discussions to collaborate for producing green hydrogen by developing major offshore wind farms in Europe to give a push to the global quest for decarbonisation. As per media reports, by 2030, the companies will create 400,000 tonnes of green hydrogen every year.

Green hydrogen, by using renewable energy in the electrolysis of water to Hydrogen, gives a fillip to renewable energy too.

Eneco Groep N.V. Which is a Dutch based subsidiary of Mitsubishi and Chubu Electric Power Co, will invest 10 per cent in a joint venture that will include Shell, Norway’s energy company Equinor ASA and others. The green hydrogen plan of the companies is much larger in the long run. As per the plan of Shell and Mitsubishi, large offshore wind farms will be constructed in the Netherlands that will generate more than 4 million KW of electricity. This renewable power will then be employed to produce 1 million tonnes of green hydrogen every year by 2040.

By 2030, Mitsubishi Corp will invest $16.2 billion in industries that help reduce carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. About half of this investment will go into renewable sources of energy. Mitsubishi is also looking to develop offshore wind farms in Japan. As per reports, the company may invest in wind power development projects in Akita and Chiba prefectures on the eastern and western coasts of Japan.

Japan is striving for clean energy and particularly hydrogen for energy transition. Recently it has signed an agreement with India to extend its Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) to cover Green Hydrogen. The agreement said that this is necessary to ensure a secure and stable supply of energy for achieving both goals of sustainable economic growth and addressing climate change.

Subsequently, Adani Power had agreed with two Japanese companies – IHI Corporation and Kowa – to collaborate on clean power generation.