Ardian and A2A signed an agreement for potential partnership in hydrogen initiatives

Milan, November 26, 2020 - Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, through EMS-Energy Management Services, its Italian platform for renewable and innovative energy sources, and A2A, a leading Italian utility, announced today that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in green hydrogen development.

The partnership will aim to identify potential areas they can cooperate and work together on the production of green hydrogen from renewable sources.

"We are glad of the agreement we signed with Ardian, a further confirmation of the contribution that our company can and wishes to provide to achieve the important goals set by the European Union in terms of CO2 reduction to win the Climate Change challenge - said Renato Mazzoncini, CEO of A2A - This cooperation is an excellent opportunity to analyze the potential of green hydrogen and to develop business models that combine the environmental sustainability of renewable production with the fundamental characteristics of flexibility and programmability required for the optimal operation of the national electrical grid. This is another strategic element to encourage the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in which A2A is engaged.”

Mathias Burghardt, Head of Ardian Infrastructure, commented “This cooperation with A2A is a great opportunity to consolidate Ardian strategy, as well as promote the integration between green hydrogen production and renewable energy, especially in the south of Italy where Ardian is active since 2007 with several wind farms. Ardian currently manages about 5GW of renewable energy assets around the world, and has a historical presence in Italy with about 500MW installed capacity.” “We are firmly committed to sustainable investments in green energy, and green hydrogen is an important element of this as it is aligned with EU climate change targets. Ardian has the ambition to become a reference fund manager in green hydrogen and will continue contributing, together with renewable electricity, at attaining a zero-carbon-emission global economy by 2050”, he added. 

With this agreement in place, Ardian and A2A are joining forces to identify the most suitable sites to integrate existing or planned renewable power plants and hydrogen production units. In addition, a variety of plant configurations will be assessed and tested to select a pilot plant. If agreed upon, this plant would then by developed by both parties in the next phase of the partnership.