VoltH2, DIF Capital Partners and Virya Energy join forces in green hydrogen
Cooperation supports further European expansion
Bergen-op-Zoom, the Netherlands, June 21, 2022 – Green hydrogen developer VoltH2 is selling a majority stake to Virya Energy and DIF Capital Partners. The two new shareholders, both active in green energy production, innovation and sustainable investments, are bringing additional capital and expertise to VoltH2 to accelerate the development of European green hydrogen production capacity.
VoltH2 was founded in 2020 by experienced energy entrepreneur André Jurres and already received permits for two production sites in Vlissingen and Terneuzen, with detailed plans being developed for a site in Delfzijl. Together, these plants have a capacity of 75 MW which can gradually be scaled up to 250 MW. The planned capacity makes VoltH2 a leading player in Europe. The new partnership with DIF Capital Partners and Virya Energy will help VoltH2 to realise its first green hydrogen production facilities and further expand the pipeline.
In order to realise the ambitions of the European Green Deal, fossil fuels need to be replaced by renewable energy sources. Green hydrogen will complement the clean energy mix with much needed flexibility. According to a study performed by energy consultant DNV (2022)1, hydrogen is expected to make up 15% of the energy mix by 2050. This represents an investment of approximately €6.5 trillion. Especially in high polluting sectors, the further development of green hydrogen is essential to achieving the required sustainability. VoltH2 is fully committed to this evolution by developing key green hydrogen production capacity.
Headquartered in the Netherlands, DIF Capital Partners globally invests in infrastructure companies and projects. ESG and the energy transition are an integral part of DIF's investment strategies and existing investment portfolios.
Gijs Voskuyl, Partner at DIF Capital Partners, explains the investment in VoltH2: "We see signs of significant demand increase for green hydrogen on the short and medium term. As an investor with a strong footprint and ongoing focus within the energy transition space, we aim to play a role in this fast growing and capital intensive market and believe VoltH2 as well as Virya Energy are excellent partners to realise these growth ambitions. This investment contributes to the ongoing decarbonisation of the economy, in line with DIF’s net zero target.”
Belgian holding company Virya Energy and VoltH2 have already been engaged in a first collaboration for the green hydrogen plant in Terneuzen. Through a further collaboration with VoltH2 and DIF Capital Partners, Virya Energy aims to contribute to sustainable industrial processes, sustainable mobility and more flexible energy production.
Paul Tummers, CEO of Virya Energy: "To date, we have built more than 1 GW of renewable production capacity. For us, green hydrogen is an important vector for decarbonising our economy and society in the long term. Through this collaboration, we can exchange knowledge with three parties, based on our respective expertise, and make use of our scale to expand the necessary capacity faster and more efficiently, thus contributing to the energy transition."
André Jurres, Managing Director of VoltH2, concludes: "This investment attests to the confidence in green hydrogen and in the growth of VoltH2. With the involvement of DIF Capital Partners and Virya Energy, we can anchor VoltH2 locally, achieve our ambitions and play a crucial role in the European energy market and energy transition."
(End of press release)
* * *
About VoltH2
VoltH2 focuses on the design, development, construction and operation of green hydrogen plants in Europe. The first two production facilities are currently being developed in Vlissingen and Terneuzen (the Netherlands). These plants are expected to be operational in 2025. At start-up, each plant will produce nearly 2 million kg (1,890 tonnes) of green hydrogen per year. In time, this production will grow with the hydrogen market and will be scaled up. Because of its strategic location within North Sea Port, the end product will be transportable by road, rail and waterways. Local industry will be able to purchase green hydrogen in order to meet its environmental objectives. Recently, the project for a third green hydrogen plant was started in Delfzijl (within Groningen Seaports). VoltH2 is a collaboration between Volt Energy (the company of founder André Jurres), Virya Energy and DIF Capital Partners. www.volth2.com
About Virya Energy
Virya Energy was founded in late 2019 by Colruyt Group and Korys. The energy holding company has shares in Parkwind, Eurowatt, Eoly Energy, Sanchore and recently also in VoltH2.
Virya Energy focuses on the development, financing, construction, exploitation and storage of renewable energy. All of these companies possess a wealth of complementary expertise. By sharing knowledge and enabling them to work together, Virya Energy aims to create economies of scale and take a leading role in the rapidly evolving renewable energy sector. Virya Energy and its subsidiaries worldwide have a capacity of 1 GW of green energy. This includes onshore and offshore wind power and a number of initiatives for green hydrogen such as Hyoffwind.
About DIF Capital Partners
DIF Capital Partners is a leading global independent investment manager, with ca. EUR 11 billion in assets under management across ten closed-end infrastructure funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF invests in infrastructure companies and assets located primarily in Europe, the Americas, and Australia through two complementary strategies:
- DIF CIF funds, of which DIF CIF III is the latest vintage, target equity investments in small to mid-sized core-plus infrastructure companies in the telecom, energy transition, and transportation sectors.
- Traditional DIF funds, of which DIF Infrastructure VI is the latest vintage, target core infrastructure equity investments with long-term contracted or regulated income streams including public-private partnerships, concessions, utilities, and energy transition projects (incl. renewable energy).
DIF Capital Partners has a team of over 190 professionals, based in eleven offices located in Amsterdam (Schiphol), Frankfurt, Helsinki, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, New York, Paris, Santiago, Sydney, and Toronto.
www.dif.eu.
1 DNV: Hydrogen forecast to 2050 – Energy transition outlook 2022.
* * *
André Jurres
Sybil Van Torre
Thijs Verburg