Valencia, 11 June 2025
Investment firm Smartenergy has confirmed that the Orange.bat Project, which will contribute to the decarbonisation of the Spanish ceramic sector, has obtained its Integrated Environmental Authorization (IEA). This administrative milestone ensures the sustainable management of industrial and business activities while protecting natural resources and biodiversity.
According to the Swiss company, green hydrogen will play a key role in the coming years for reducing emissions in energy-intensive hard-to-abate industries. In the case of the Spanish ceramic sector, which is highly concentrated in the province of Castellón, additional advantages include reduced dependence on external energy markets and the ability to operate with more predictable and controlled long-term prices.
Orange.bat is supported by the two main associations of the Spanish ceramic cluster: ASCER and ANFFECC. Both organisations are at the forefront of the sector’s efforts to advance decarbonisation.
According to Alberto Echavarría, Secretary General of ASCER: “The approval of the AAI for the Orange.bat project represents a significant step forward and brings potential alternatives closer to the sector in its path toward decarbonisation. At ASCER, we view positively any energy initiative that contributes to the search for viable solutions for the sector’s decarbonisation.”
Manuel Breva, Secretary General of ANFFECC, stated: “It is encouraging to see the administration streamlining procedures to make way for projects that attract investment to the region and support the path toward decarbonisation.”
Key project data
The 100 MWe electrolyser that will produce green hydrogen will be located in the El Colomer industrial estate, in the municipality of Onda–a strategic placement very close to end users. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with operations expected to start in May 2028. The facility will cover an area of approximately 1.2 hectares and will have an annual production capacity of 16,446 tonnes of green hydrogen, to be distributed between local industry and Enagás’ hydrogen backbone network (H2Med Project). Industrial consumers have already expressed their intention to offtake 75% of the green hydrogen production as a substitute for part of their natural gas use, primarily through blending. This approach will enable a gradual transition and significantly reduce CO₂ emissions without requiring major upfront investments from companies.
With this level of production, it is estimated that 115,554 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent will be avoided annually. The plant is expected to generate 34 direct and 150 indirect jobs, in addition to those created during the construction phase.
The project, which brings together Smartenergy and key industrial players, investment firms, research centres, and institutional bodies, is set to scale up to a capacity of up to 800 MWe in the future. Next phase, already in active development, encompasses an 80 MWe electrolyser in Alcora.