The Freeport of Ventspils has signed an agreement with "PurpleGreen Energy C" Ltd. to start research work for the construction of a green hydrogen factory in Ventspils. Green hydrogen will play an extremely important role in the future as a source of sustainable energy production, which is why it is called the "green revolution" in the world. The implementation of the project will be an important step in the development of the renewable energy cluster in the region of the Northern Kurzeme. This will open up prospects for both research and the expansion of other business projects in the future, where the use of future energy will be essential.
I. Udodovs, Deputy CEO of the Freeport of Ventspils, Head of Marketing and Development Department says: "Ventspils has all the advantages to develop into a future energy production and export hub, which in turn would be a great competitive advantage for establishments to start and expand their operations here. Currently, the Freeport of Ventspils is purposefully developing the renewable energy cluster in Ventspils, and the production of green hydrogen is one of the most important cornerstones in this complex of diverse activities. We are satisfied that "PurpleGreen Energy C" chose the Freeport of Ventspils as a place for the development of its project, and we are ready for active and effective cooperation."
An agreement was concluded with the company "PurpleGreen Energy C" Ltd. on the granting of building rights on a 10-hectare plot of land with the address "Zilgmes" and Mauru ceļš 73, where the enterprise plans to build a green hydrogen factory. Potentially, the plant would also produce a variety of products using green hydrogen as feedstock. With the conclusion of the contract, the process of in-depth examination begins, the results of which will reveal how this project should look in real life. The company "PurpleGreen Energy C" conducts negotiations with international establishments about the markets and export of the produced products, as well as pinpoints potential opportunities for cooperation with existing enterprises in Ventspils.
Māris Daniševskis, Lead PtX Project Manager at the company "PurpleGreen Energy C" Ltd., says: "We see great potential for Latvia to become a renewable energy export country. One of the most suitable ways to export renewable energy is to convert it into the form of renewable electricity molecules and further export this energy using the existing infrastructure of the Freeport of Ventspils, as well as by collaborating with businesses operating in Ventspils - for instance, in the form of e-methanol or "green" ammonia. We thank the Freeport of Ventspils for the successfully initiated cooperation and we are working on the realization of this project with great optimism."
Vigars Kaktinieks, member of the board of "PurpleGreen Energy C" Co., Ltd.: "PurpleGreen is an Aksedo group company that has united more than 20 skilled experts in the production and trade of solar, wind, and hydrogen energy. It is an innovative and experienced Latvian power corporation that is currently developing solar and wind energy projects with a total capacity of over 1 GW. We have started the implementation of the manufacturing project of hydrogen and its compounds, as well as the high-power energy storage project. PurpleGreen's hydrogen and its compounds projects will consume not only the green electricity generated in their projects but also the solar and wind electricity produced in other projects in Latvia. We closely cooperate with landowners in various regions of Latvia, as well as with experienced Latvian and international engineering and design enterprises, investors, energy companies, and state and municipal institutions responsible for energy."
Green hydrogen is produced using only renewable electricity and water. In the process of electrolysis, hydrogen is separated from water. The implementation of such a project will create a new industry in Latvia, which uses modern technologies to produce export products with high added value. New jobs will be created, and large-scale construction will be carried out, providing local construction companies with additional income. Also, the cargo export flow will be increased, increasing the added value of both the Freeport of Ventspils and the whole of Latvia.
The production of "green" hydrogen and further e-methanol and green ammonia is expected to play a decisive role in the production of future green energy, allowing to quit fossil energy sources and reducing overall CO2 emissions. The port of Ventspils as an infrastructure object sees huge future opportunities by being included in the hydrogen ecosystem and adapting to the development of the future hydrogen economy, including exporting the produced hydrogen through the port of Ventspils. In 2022, the Freeport of Ventspils joined the Latvian Hydrogen Association and, together with more than 20 representatives of the industry, science, and ministries, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Economics to promote a strong and unified development of the hydrogen ecosystem and relevant technologies in Latvia.
