TotalEnergies acquires 50% stake in OranjeWind to generate green hydrogen

TotalEnergies has inked a deal with German renewable developer RWE to acquire a 50% stake in OranjeWind, a 795 MW offshore wind farm under development in the Netherlands. TotalEnergies will dedicate its share of the renewable electricity production from this project to power 350 MW electrolyzer projects.

These projects will then produce about 40,000 tons per year of green hydrogen for the decarbonization of TotalEnergies’ refineries in Northern Europe.

TotalEnergies plans to decarbonize its European refineries’ hydrogen and cut its CO2emissions by around 5 million tons per year by 2030. In this context, the Company intends to allocate its share in OranjeWind to produce electricity to generate green hydrogen via electrolysis.

The production of this green or low-carbon hydrogen, which will replace the hydrogen currently consumed in TotalEnergies’ refineries, will avoid the emission of approximately 400,000 tons of CO2per year.

The project is a new milestone towards TotalEnergies’ goal of a 40% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions linked directly to its oil and gas operations by 2030, compared to the 2015 baseline.

OranjeWind, an integrated, innovative offshore wind project

Located in the North Sea, about 53 km off the Dutch coast, the OranjeWind project was won by RWE in 2022 as part of the Dutch Hollandse Kust West VII tender. RWE then committed to developing electrolyzers, to which TotalEnergies will now also contribute.

In addition to producing green power and hydrogen, OranjeWind will also support the stability of the Dutch grid with its electric boilers and battery storage. Construction of the wind farm is scheduled to start in 2026, with full commissioning expected in early 2028.

“This integrated, innovative project perfectly illustrates our pioneering role in the energy transition in Europe, especially through the emergence of offshore wind power linked to green hydrogen electrolyzers in the Netherlands,” said Stephane Michel, President Gaz Renewables & Power and Bernard Pinatel, President, Refining & Chemicals, TotalEnergies.

“Together, we will provide a blueprint for the Dutch energy system of the future, designed to tackle the challenges of intermittent wind generation and flexible energy demand. As key players in the Dutch energy market, we are both committed to helping the Netherlands meet its decarbonization targets,” said Sven Utermöhlen, CEO RWE Offshore Wind.