Project overview
Objectives, scope, and technical context.
The Centrale Électrique de l’Ouest Guyanais (CEOG) in French Guiana is set to become the world’s first baseload-capable hydrogen power plant on a multi-megawatt scale. Developed by HDF Energy and built by Siemens Energy, the plant will continuously supply around 10,000 households with 100% renewable electricity.
The system combines photovoltaics, electrolysis, hydrogen storage, and fuel cell technology to form an integrated energy system. The goal is a stable, fossil-free power supply, regardless of the time of day or weather conditions.
The engineered solution
Technical, operational, and infrastructural.
The CEOG power plant combines a 55 MWp solar farm, a 16 MW electrolyzer, high-performance fuel cell systems, and 26 stationary low-pressure hydrogen storage vessels from VAKO.
Surplus solar energy is stored in the form of green hydrogen and converted back into electricity as needed. Designed for pressures of up to 50 bar, the storage vessels provide the crucial link between energy generation and continuous power delivery, ensuring a round-the-clock supply of renewable power.
The challenge
Technical and regulatory core requirements.
French Guiana has historically relied heavily on diesel generators. The challenge was to deliver a reliable, baseload-capable, and scalable energy supply based on renewable energy.
This demanded a storage solution that could safely store large amounts of energy, handle sustained high pressures, withstand extreme climatic conditions, and meet international safety and quality standards. The plant is designed for long-term service under tropical environmental conditions.
VAKO’s contribution
Engineering and fabrication – all from VAKO.
The 26 customized low-pressure hydrogen storage vessels were developed to meet the specific requirements of the CEOG project. VAKO also handled delivery and provided technical support during installation, including the provision of an installation supervisor.
The pressure vessels were designed for high storage capacity, maximum safety, and long-term operational reliability. Design and fabrication reflect the site’s particular climatic and logistical conditions.
Leveraging its expertise and its engineering and fabrication capabilities, VAKO ensured that the storage vessels could be reliably integrated into the overall system and meet all relevant technical and regulatory requirements.
Results and added value
Reliable performance and long-term benefits.
CEOG serves as a first-of-its-kind global reference project for renewable baseload power. VAKO’s hydrogen storage vessels play a key role in ensuring the plant’s stability, safety, and long-term availability.
The project shows how large-scale hydrogen storage can replace fossil-fuel baseload generation, serving as a technological blueprint for future energy infrastructure worldwide.
