DIJON MÉTROPOLE: The green hydrogen project supported by the European Commission and the Banque des Territoires
More than 7 million euros in grants are planned by the two institutions.
The European Commission and the Banque des Territoires provide support
to the Dijon metropolis green hydrogen project
and transformation of its vehicle fleet
The green hydrogen project led by Dijon Métropole has been selected by the European Commission. It has awarded it € 2,025,000 in grants from the CEF – Transport – Blending facility call for projects to acquire 27 hydrogen buses. In addition, the Banque des Territoires is providing fixed-rate Mobi Loan financing of € 5 million for the acquisition of these buses.
Twenty-seven hydrogen buses will be able to circulate from 2023 on the DiviaMobilités network, operator of public transport in Dijon metropolis. This deployment is in line with Dijon Métropole’s objective of converting the entire fleet of buses in its public transport network, as well as its household garbage dumpsters.
As part of a virtuous ecosystem unprecedented in France based on the recycling of household waste and the region’s renewable energies, these buses will be powered by local hydrogen produced in short circuits. The construction of two hydrogen infrastructures are thus planned in the municipality of Dijon:
– a Dijon-Nord station, located next to the Energy Recovery Unit, will produce and distribute approximately 440 kilograms per day of green hydrogen to vehicles, in particular thanks to a nearby 12 hectare photovoltaic farm,
– the Dijon-Sud station, located on an operation and maintenance site for buses and trams in the Dijon metropolitan area, will produce and distribute around 880 kilograms of green hydrogen to project vehicles.
On these two sites, hydrogen will be produced in a clean way by a process of electrolysis of water supplied by electricity produced by recycling waste from the metropolis of Dijon. By structuring a local energy policy and clean mobility, Dijon Métropole aims to become the leading hydrogen metropolis in France and a model of territorial ecological transition.
“With this project, we are financing a green future for Europe! The European Union supports this initiative of Dijon Métropole which contributes very concretely to the realization of the Green Pact for Europe. This action is part of the projects co-financed by the European Union with the aim of promoting alternative fuels. The use of “green” hydrogen for public transport is part of a sustainable and carbon-free mobility approach for European citizens ”, declared Dirk Beckers, director of the European executive agency for the climate, the infrastructure and the environment (CINEA).
The Banque des Territoires is supporting Dijon Métropole with a Mobi Loan of € 5 million over a period of 15 years at a fixed rate on resources from the European Investment Bank. This offer dedicated to the modernization of transport infrastructure gives priority to projects linked to environmentally friendly mobility, as is the case with the one carried out by Dijon Métropole. Through this loan, the Banque des Territoires thus contributes to the revival of activity and to the ecological and energy transition of the territory.
“In Dijon, the Banque des Territoires wants to facilitate the emergence of a hydrogen sector and the deployment of hydrogen mobility solutions, for more sustainable territories. Hydrogen is an important axis of investment for the Banque des Territoires in the years to come and one of the major challenges of the Caisse des Dépôts recovery plan that it is implementing. »Emphasizes Olivier Sichel, director of Banque des Territoires.
For François Rebsamen, mayor of Dijon, president of Dijon metropolis and former Minister of Labor:
“In Dijon, we are inventing a territorial energy system that is unique in France. Hydrogen combines all the assets to meet the challenge of energy transition for green growth. The support of the European Commission and the Banque des Territoires for this energy project confirms Dijon in its status as a driving force in terms of clean hydrogen mobility on a national and European scale. Thanks to this alternative energy which produces no noise, no greenhouse gases and no particles, Dijon Métropole reaffirms its commitment to the fight against climate change, to protect the planet, future generations and the health of the people of Dijon. “.
The grants come from the CEF – Transport – Blending facility call for projects launched in November 2019 as part of the Interconnection Mechanism in Europe1 which aims to facilitate the deployment of alternative fuels within the European Union by drawing on the expertise of long-term European investors.
To this end, the European Commission in France of the know-how and the territorial knowledge of the Caisse des Dépôts which, via the Territories Bank, provides funding and expertise in the structuring of projects, which allow the Commission to s ” ensure that grants target the most viable projects and play their driving role. This new role of partner of the European Commission is complementary to the mission of financing the territories of the Banque des Territoires. This type of call for projects has already demonstrated its effectiveness and will be carried out in 2021.
General informations
Find the press release from the Network and Innovation Executive Agency (INEA) concerning the call for projects “Connecting Europe Facility – Transport – Blending Facility” here and all subsidized projects here.
About the Banque des Territoires
Created in 2018, Banque des Territoires is one of Caisse des Dépôts’ five businesses. It brings together in a single structure the internal expertise for the territories. A single customer gateway, it offers tailor-made loan and investment advice and financing solutions to meet the needs of local communities, social housing organizations, local public companies and legal professionals. It is aimed at all territories, from rural areas to metropolitan areas, with the ambition to fight against social inequalities and territorial fractures. The Banque des Territoires is deployed in the 16 regional offices and the 37 regional offices of the Caisse des Dépôts in order to be better identified with its customers and as close as possible to them.
For more attractive, inclusive, sustainable and connected territories.
www.banquedesterritoires.fr
Twitter: @BanqueDesTerr
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