Avina Clean Hydrogen Breaks Ground on Major Green Hydrogen Facility in Vernon, California

On October 30, 2024, Avina Clean Hydrogen celebrated the groundbreaking of its landmark green hydrogen facility in Vernon, California, located just 10 miles from the Port of Long Beach. This significant project aligns with the company’s goal to decarbonize heavy-duty transportation and contribute to California’s clean energy objectives. The facility will generate up to 4 metric tons per day (MTPD) of compressed green hydrogen through electrolysis, a process that uses clean electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Once operational, this facility will become one of the world’s largest integrated electrolytic hydrogen production and refueling sites. Its primary purpose is to provide critical infrastructure to replace diesel trucking miles with hydrogen-powered alternatives, significantly reducing emissions. The project is expected to cut approximately 130,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually, greatly enhancing air quality in surrounding communities.

Vishal Shah, Founder and CEO of Avina Clean Hydrogen, emphasized the strategic location of the facility in Southern California, which allows the company to serve key transportation corridors and urban markets. "Our location enables us to meet the rising demand for clean hydrogen across the region," Shah said.

The City of Vernon expressed strong support for the project, with Mayor Judith Merlo highlighting the city’s role in facilitating the groundbreaking through its streamlined permitting process and collaboration with the local utility, VPU, to ensure reliable power for the facility. She also expressed confidence in Avina’s leadership in scaling up clean hydrogen technology to meet California's regional needs.

Dan McGill, President and Founder of FASTECH, underscored the importance of this collaboration. "We are excited to partner with Avina Clean Hydrogen to develop a reliable hydrogen generation and distribution facility in Southern California," he said, emphasizing their shared commitment to advancing clean energy solutions and fostering a sustainable future for mobility customers.

Katrina Fritz, CEO of the California Hydrogen Business Council, noted the growth of the hydrogen industry in the state, pointing to Avina’s facility as a key example. "This facility will play a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for hydrogen in California, supporting zero-emission trucks, buses, and distributed power generation, which are vital for decarbonization and improved air quality in local communities."

With all necessary environmental permits secured, the project is on track to begin construction and is expected to start commercial operations by July 2025.

Avina Clean Hydrogen delivers large-scale clean fuel solutions aimed at decarbonizing challenging sectors. The company specializes in designing, constructing, and operating clean fuel plants, utilizing cutting-edge technology to produce cost-competitive fuels. Avina serves a diverse global clientele across industries such as maritime, aviation, and mobility.