Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance Advised the consortium of Virya Energy, HyoffGreen and Messer Belgium on the conclusion of a Multi User Tolling Agreement for Belgium's first green hydrogen production plant

Clifford Chance Advised the consortium of Virya Energy, HyoffGreen and Messer Belgium on the conclusion of a Multi User Tolling Agreement for Belgium's first green hydrogen production plant.

Clifford Chance assisted the consortium between Virya Energy, HyoffGreen, and Messer Belgium on a strategic long-term agreement that establishes the key energy sourcing, hydrogen production and offtake arrangements for their HyOffwind project in Zeebrugge, Belgium.

HyOffwind represents a critical key milestone in Belgium's renewable hydrogen development by establishing a 25MW green hydrogen production facility in the strategic port of Zeebrugge. This pioneering project, developed by Virya Energy in partnership with HyoffGreen and Messer Belgium, is advancing through its construction phase and is scheduled to produce its first renewable molecules in 2026, contributing to a yearly CO2 reduction of 25,000 tons across various mobility and industrial hydrogen applications.

Located at a crucial intersection of energy networks, the facility is designed with an initial capacity of 25MW and the potential to expand to 100MW. The project exemplifies sector coupling by connecting renewable energy production with industrial processes and mobility solutions, while enhancing the flexibility and stability of Belgium’s energy system. As part of the emerging European hydrogen backbone, HyOffwind will play a vital role in connecting production sites and industrial zones across North-West Europe, supported by €30 million in government subsidies through NextGenerationEU funding.

Clifford Chance's Brussels Energy and Infrastructure team, led by partner Patrice Viaene together with senior associate Philippe Baert and supported by associates Joëlle Brik, Louis Francois and Wout Sleurs as well as counsel Philip Walsh from our Amsterdam office, played a crucial role in the conception of the Multi User Tolling Agreement that will underpin the project's commercial set-up. This innovative and versatile agreement is testament to Clifford Chance's commitment to supporting pioneering and industry shaping projects that deliver fit for purpose solutions driving the energy transition forwards.