Solvay and Enagás have signed a landmark agreement to develop a strategic hydrogen storage hub in Polanco, Cantabria, reinforcing Spain’s ambitions in the renewable hydrogen sector. The project will repurpose Solvay’s existing salt caverns infrastructure—originally built for soda ash production—into a hydrogen storage facility. Enagás will oversee the integration of this capacity into Spain’s future energy system. It will draw on its deep expertise in energy transport and hydrogen infrastructure.
Enabling Renewable Energy Stability
The innovative initiative supports Spain’s national goal of becoming a leading producer and exporter of renewable hydrogen. The repurposed caverns will provide a safe, flexible, and scalable solution for storing renewable hydrogen. This will help stabilize the energy grid and manage fluctuations from intermittent renewable electricity sources.
Industry Leaders Join Forces for Energy Transition
“The collaboration with Enagás underscores the European chemical industry’s vital role in enabling clean energy solutions,” said Etienne Galan, President of Solvay’s Soda Ash and Derivatives business. “We’re especially grateful to partner with Enagás, whose infrastructure expertise and strong commitment are accelerating the development of green hydrogen,” Galan added.
Laying the Groundwork for Spain’s Hydrogen Backbone
Enagás CEO Arturo Gonzalo called the partnership “a key milestone in the development of Spain’s hydrogen backbone.” He added, “By combining our energy infrastructure experience with Solvay’s industrial capabilities, we’re laying the foundations for a robust and flexible hydrogen network that supports both national and European decarbonization goals while boosting competitiveness.”
Expanding Solvay’s Cavern Expertise Across Europe
The project, developed in close coordination with local stakeholders, also marks an expansion of Solvay’s leadership in salt cavern infrastructure. As per the company press release, Solvay has a proven legacy of over 100 caverns in Germany. It is now extending this expertise to Spain. This move strengthens its role as a key enabler of large-scale underground hydrogen storage solutions in Europe.
