The Preliminary Market Consultation runs until September 30, with APA seeking private partners to finance, build and operate the green hydrogen plant under concession.

Under the project structure, APA will set the framework, while the private sector carries the financial and technical risk.

The construction timeline will depend on the concession award and final tender decisions on capacity and scope. The planned 1MW plant will be designed for future scale-up.

Dubbed Portali-H2, the project is expected to source at least 70% of its energy from renewables, “moving towards maximum energy autonomy.” The hydrogen produced will be used in port operations, local maritime and land transport.

“With these actions, APA reinforces its role as an engine of innovation in southeastern Spain and is positioned as one of the enclaves most committed to the energy transition in the state port system,” APA said in a press statement.

“If materialised, [the consultation] will not only mean progress in the fight against climate change but will also open new opportunities for the local economy, attracting investment and generating qualified employment.”

According to GWGI data, Spain hosts 64 merchant hydrogen production facilities, 30 supply scheme projects and 62 captive plants.

The APA’s concession project aligns more closely with the supply scheme model, where hydrogen will be produced under a dedicated agreement for defined customers, rather than to the open market.