Original idea

The LIFEalps project originally envisaged the construction of a new hydrogen production unit at the Cardano hydroelectric power plant owned by Alperia, which would supply the project's fleet of zero-emission vehicles and SASA's hydrogen buses. The new production was to be realised by SASA and was to benefit from the application of the so-called SEU constellation, thanks to which the electricity needed to produce the hydrogen would be available at a lower cost, without grid charges.

However, this SEU exemption was rejected by the Italian GSE authority. Consequently, the Cardano location was abandoned and the project team began the search for an alternative solution, economically viable in the long term.

The new production plant: synergies between LIFE and PNRR

The turning point came in 2023 with the possibility of including the new hydrogen production in the investments co-financed by the PNRR (Italian National Recovery Plan), for which the Province of Bolzano aims to create a hydrogen valley (‘H2 Valley’ project) on its territory.

The main reference regulatory instrument is the PNRR measure ‘M2C2 - investment 3.1’ for the conversion of disused industrial sites, which supports investments in such areas. This national instrument proved to be a fundamental pillar for the LIFEalps project, creating the preconditions for the realisation of the hydrogen production.

SASA, together with Alperia and the Province of Bolzano, developed the idea and the project to realise the new hydrogen production close to the waste incinerator in Bolzano South, with the possibility of applying the SEU constellation and thus achieving a lower cost of the green hydrogen production.

The project for the construction of the new hydrogen production unit was officially accepted as part of the initiatives co-financed by the national PNRR in July 2023, resolving the long-standing issue of the location of the new hydrogen production of LIFEalps.

Production will be completed by mid-2026 and the key points of the new plant are listed below.

Production site shared by LIFEalps and Hy Valley projects of which:

1. Basic production capacity financed with NRP
2. Optional production capacity financed with LIFE