Qair inaugurates Hyd'Occ, France's largest renewable hydrogen production plant — a cornerstone of Europe's emerging hydrogen corridor

Built at Port-la Nouvelle from June 2023, the plant’s first phase, with a capacity of 20 MW, is designed to produce 2,700 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year through water electrolysis using renewable electricity. This 20 MW capacity alone represents nearly 30% of the approximately 70 MW of total installed electrolysis capacity in France, making it one of the largest electrolyzers in the country. It will therefore prevent the emission of 27,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year. A second phase will increase the installed capacity to 40 MW, bringing the annual capacity to 5,400 tonnes. Total investment in the project amounts to €130 million, with €55 million in bank financing arranged with Crédit Agricole and Bpifrance for the plant and stations ecosystem.

From the first molecule to European certification

In December 2025, following successful trials, Hyd’Occ produced its first molecules of renewable hydrogen. The first was symbolically presented to the crew of the Energy Observer, Qair Group’s partner, during its stopover at Port-La Nouvelle Hyd’Occ is currently finalising its last adjustments and obtaining RFNBO (renewable fuel of non-biological origin) type certifications. This European framework certifies the renewable nature of the hydrogen produced: a guarantee sought by transport operators and manufacturers committed to decarbonising their operations.

A refuelling network serving the European corridor

The production plant is complemented by a network of refuelling stations, two of which — in Béziers and Narbonne — were already commissioned in spring 2026. Each aims to supply up to 600 kg of renewable hydrogen per day, primarily serving light and heavy goods vehicles, coaches, buses and commercial fleets — sectors where hydrogen offers a viable zero-emission alternative to fossil fuels.

The stations were selected under the “Corridor H2 Occitanie” call for proposals, a joint initiative by the Occitanie Region, the European Investment Bank and the European Union through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The project aims to establish a zero-emission European transport corridor, stretching from the Iberian Peninsula to Northern Europe, designed to serve heavy-duty transport with renewable hydrogen.

The Béziers station supplies 13 hydrogen-powered buses operated by the Béziers Urban Community. In October 2026, the Narbonne station also refuelled a hydrogen-powered heavy goods vehicle travelling from the Netherlands as part of the HyWayOne Challenge, organised by Hydrogen Architects. Setting off from Pesse, in the province of Drenthe, the lorry travelled to Barcelona before returning, covering some 3,800 kilometres across six European countries: proof that the north-south hydrogen corridor is taking shape, and that Occitanie is a key stop along the route.

Beyond road transport

The hydrogen produced by Hyd’Occ will also power HydrOMer, the world’s first dredger to run partly on hydrogen. Equipped with a 200 kW fuel cell and supplied with hydrogen transported in 20-foot storage containers, it will avoid around 700 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year and operate with zero emissions while berthed in the ports of Port-la-Nouvelle, Sète-Frontignan and Le Grau-du-Roi.

More broadly, Hyd’Occ drives innovation forward and expands market opportunities for green molecules. Beyond heavy-duty transport, hydrogen also paves the way for long-term energy storage: renewable electricity can be converted into hydrogen and stored, helping to smooth out the price volatility caused by the massive influx of intermittent renewable energy onto the grid.