The 35MW system will produce green hydrogen using hydroelectric power at the site of Linde’s existing grey hydrogen production facility, using existing liquefaction and distribution infrastructure to meet merchant demand.

The plant, which was touted to double the industrial gas major’s US green liquid hydrogen production capacity, has been in the works since 2022 and is slated to start up in 2025.

Accelera’s General Manager – Electrolysers, Des McMenamim, said the system delivery was a “significant milestone” for the firm.

“This project demonstrates our ability to deliver large-scale, reliable solutions that enable our customers to produce green hydrogen on a commercial scale,” he said.

The electrolysers were manufactured at its 500MW Fridley factory in Minnesota.

Yet this milestone lands at a challenging moment for US green hydrogen. Momentum has slowed following the shortening of an eligibility window for lucrative clean hydrogen production tax credits.

In July, President Donald Trump signed a tax and spending bill into law, which moved the start-of-construction deadline for the 45V tax credit to the end of 2027 from the original 2033 date.

Industry commentators warn the shortened window may be too tight for many developers to get spades in the ground following delays in finalising the eligibility rules of the up to $3/kg incentive.

Linde itself has said it will only pursue green hydrogen projects opportunistically, with an increasing focus on blue hydrogen developments, which can still benefit from expanded US carbon capture subsidies.