Qair, JV partner to create green H2 refuelling network in Iceland

French independent renewable power producer Qair has bought a 50% stake in a unit of Iceland-based hydrogen refuelling stations provider Orkan to create a green hydrogen infrastructure network replicable in other countries.

The ownership in Íslenska vetnisfélagið will complement Qair’s green hydrogen production project in Grundartangi and further boost its presence in Iceland, the French firm said on Wednesday. The value of its acquisition was not disclosed.

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Under the plan, Qair and Orkan will work on a pilot hydrogen infrastructure project that will establish six green hydrogen refuelling stations across Iceland. Two of those facilities are already in operation in the greater Reykjavik area, serving trucks and passenger cars and another four stations will be commissioned in the next couple of years in Reykjavik, Akureyri, Egilsstaðir and Freysnes.

The longest distance between planned stations will be around 380 km. They will be supplied from a 5-MW electrolysis plant in Grundartangi, to be installed by Íslenska vetnisfélaðið at a site already secured by Qair for a larger hydrogen production complex.

“Driving around Iceland while emitting only water vapor and no harmful emissions will become a reality by 2026, [..],” Qair said.

Qair, which has been operating in Iceland since 2017, is the largest wind power developer in the country with a pipeline of over 780 MW.