TotalEnergies Acquires Stake in OranjeWind to Supply Green Hydrogen across European Refineries

TotalEnergies has forged a strategic partnership with RWE to jointly develop the 795 MW OranjeWind offshore wind farm in the Netherlands, with TotalEnergies acquiring a 50% stake. The renewable energy generated from this project will be instrumental in powering TotalEnergies' 350 MW electrolyzer facilities, producing 40,000 tons of green hydrogen annually. This green hydrogen will be pivotal in decarbonizing the TotalEnergies's refining operations across Northern Europe.

TotalEnergies aims to decarbonize the hydrogen used in its European refineries and reduce CO2 emissions by around 5 million tons annually by 2030. To achieve this, the company plans to utilize its share of electricity from the OranjeWind offshore wind farm to produce green hydrogen through electrolysis. This green hydrogen will replace the conventional hydrogen currently used in TotalEnergies' refineries, significantly cutting CO2 emissions by approximately 400,000 tons per year. This initiative is part of TotalEnergies' broader strategy to transition to low-carbon energy solutions and enhance sustainability across its operations.

This project marks a significant step forward in TotalEnergies' strategy to achieve a 40% reduction in direct operational greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2030, relative to 2015 levels.

RWE secured the rights to develop the OranjeWind offshore wind farm, situated approximately 53 kilometers off the Dutch coast, through a successful bid in the 2022 Dutch Hollandse Kust West VII tender. RWE committed to developing electrolyzers, a venture to which TotalEnergies will now contribute. Besides generating green power and hydrogen, OranjeWind will enhance the stability of the Dutch grid through its electric boilers and battery storage systems. The construction of the wind farm is slated to begin in 2026, with full commissioning anticipated by early 2028.

Stephane Michel, President of Gaz Renewables & Power, and Bernard Pinatel, President of Refining & Chemicals at TotalEnergies, expressed their enthusiasm for collaborating with RWE, a leading renewable energy company, on a project aimed at developing green hydrogen production. This initiative is essential for decarbonizing their refineries in northern Europe. They highlighted that this integrated and innovative project exemplifies TotalEnergies' pioneering role in the energy transition in Europe. The project particularly focuses on the synergy between offshore wind power and green hydrogen electrolyzers in the Netherlands, underscoring their commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, emphasized the strategic importance of the Netherlands in expanding their green portfolio. He expressed delight in partnering with TotalEnergies to realize their first offshore wind project in the Netherlands while achieving full system integration of OranjeWind. Utermöhlen highlighted that their collaboration aims to create a blueprint for the future Dutch energy system, addressing the challenges of intermittent wind generation and flexible energy demand. As key players in the Dutch energy market, both companies are committed to supporting the Netherlands in meeting its decarbonization targets.