Spanish renewables developer RIC Energy has announced its selection of a site in Cadiz, California, for its inaugural green hydrogen facility in the United States. This initiative, powered by solar energy, is expected to become the largest green hydrogen plant in California.
RIC Energy has entered into a partnership with Cadiz Inc., a local water solutions company, to utilize its land and water resources for this industrial-scale project. The facility, located in the Mojave Desert, aims to produce 50,000 kg of hydrogen per day through a local photovoltaic solar array and electricity storage systems, creating a self-sufficient, off-grid operation.
Under the terms of the agreement, Cadiz will supply up to 500 acre-feet (approximately 616,740 cubic meters) of water annually. The green hydrogen produced will also support Cadiz's water supply and groundwater banking efforts.
The project plans to incorporate technology for compressing and liquefying hydrogen, facilitating transportation via rail or road.
Cadiz CEO Susan Kennedy highlighted the strategic advantages of the location, stating, “Cadiz sits at the crossroads of major rail, pipeline, and highway infrastructure… It is the ideal location for green hydrogen production.”
RIC Energy North America CEO Jonathan Rappe added that this partnership uniquely combines essential resources—water, land, and sunlight—necessary for developing one of the world's largest self-sufficient green hydrogen facilities.
The green hydrogen produced at this site could serve zero-emission vehicles and supply various California industries currently reliant on fossil hydrogen. The companies also foresee potential applications for blending hydrogen with natural gas or transporting it to the Los Angeles area via future hydrogen pipelines.
