The project – known as HYGUANE (HYdrogène GUyanais A Neutralité Environnementale) – aims to establish a pilot plant within the Spaceport capable of producing 130 tons per year of so-called green hydrogen, with the goal of dramatically reducing Spaceport greenhouse gas emissions.

Key to the scheme is to replace “grey” hydrogen – produced by a widely used but energy-intensive industrial process known as methanol steam reforming – with “green” hydrogen produced by water electrolysis from renewable energy. That green hydrogen, used to fuel rockets, will reduce CO2 emissions linked to the Ariane programme by several thousand tons per year.

HYGUANE will also introduce a hydrogen eco-system to French Guiana, enabling the introduction of hydrogen-fuelled heavy transport of people and goods, as well as hydrogen fuel cells for energy storage.

The partners signed a letter of interest in the project on 17 June, opening the path to realization of a plan that has been several years in the making. The concept includes the creation of a Hydrogen Competence Centre in French Guiana, to develop specific know-how to maintain and operate these new systems and to help develop start-ups. ESA and CNES are working with SARA, Air Liquide, MT-Aerospace, Be.Blue, the Université de Guyane and the Université de Liège.

An innovative co-financing concept combines support from ESA, industrial partners and the France national recovery plan.