At the end of October 2020, the Hydrogen industry in the Southern Region will have a new major player in the shape of the creation of SAS Hynomed A strategic stage in the project HynovarThis project, which has been accredited and closely supported by Capenergies since 2016, involves the deployment of technological building blocks and hydrogen infrastructures for land and sea mobility.
Engie Solutions, the Var Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Banque des Territoires are the 3 shareholders in this company, which will set up the first 2 hydrogen production and distribution stations. By the end of 2022, the Brégaillon port site (La Seyne) could be home to the first station, which will power 7 to 10 hydrogen buses for the Toulon metropolitan area, 50 light commercial vehicles and an innovative full-hydrogen maritime shuttle with a capacity of 250 passengers, commissioned by the Bateliers de la Côte d'Azur and designed by the regional start-up company Engie Solutions. HYSEAS.
As part of its contribution to the Hynovar project, this ambitious project has the support of the Toulon Provence Méditerranée metropolitan area and significant funding from ADEME (€6.45m) and the Southern Region (€700k).
The Var in the vanguard of the hydrogen sector
The fruit of a strong public-private alliance, the aim of the HYNOVAR programme initiated by the Var CCI is to make this region a pioneer in green hydrogen by bringing together the entire ecosystem!
" Since 2016, with the vital support of bodies such as the Capenergies competitiveness cluster, we have been able to bring together all the local economic and institutional players, from manufacturers to training organisations, all essential links in the hydrogen chain in the department. Today, we are proud to be taking action to ensure the long-term future of hydrogen mobility, particularly through the maritime lever, which is a first in France. "says Albert Perez, Director of National & Southern Activities at Engie Solutions, Hynomed's main shareholder.
The first H2 fuelling station in the HYNOVAR project was inaugurated in June 2018 on the Le Castellet circuit in Signes. Currently a demonstrator, the station is due to evolve in the near future to integrate Hynomed's commercial offering and supply a whole range of land vehicles.
👉 Discover the stages and players in the Hynovar project on video:
Economic development potential
" Hynomed is the cornerstone of the vast Hynovar project to launch a new, virtuous and promising sector that will create jobs that cannot be relocated.. "says Jacques Bianchi, Chairman of the Var Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In the medium term, the 2 stations will be able to supply the vehicle fleets of major groups, logistics professionals and local authorities, such as port handling equipment, industrial and agricultural utility vehicles, as well as boat buses and rail services.
Within the next 3 or 4 years, Hynomed aims to install other stations in the Var and PACA regions. From 2025, the company is aiming for average annual sales of around €1.5 million.