Black & Veatch is strengthening its presence in the green hydrogen and energy storage market, with ongoing projects exceeding 365 megawatts (MW) of hydrogen electrolysis and more than 21 gigawatts (GW) of battery energy storage. This was stated by Youssef Merjaneh, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) at Black & Veatch, during the virtual event “Storage and Renewable Leadership Forum”, organised by Strategic Energy Corp.

“At Black & Veatch, we are currently building or commissioning 365 MW of green hydrogen electrolysis. Three of these projects are in the United States, the largest being the ACES Delta project in Utah, with 220 MW,” said Merjaneh. “We use hydrogen as energy storage, allowing us to manage the intermittency of renewable sources and utilise energy when it is most needed,” he added.

The first event of the year by Strategic Energy Corp was a two-part virtual session, co-organised with Mobility Portal Europe and Strategic Energy Europe. Strategic Energy Corp partnered with Future Energy Summit (FES) to host this event, as FES is the leading platform for renewable energy discussions in Spanish-speaking countries.

Notably, on 24 June, the third edition of FES Iberia 2025 will take place at Colegio Caminos (Auditorio Betancourt, C. de Almagro, 42, Chamberí) in Madrid. (Relive the previous edition here). The encounter will feature companies such as Iberdrola, Nextracker, Engie, Grenergy, Statkraft, Acciona Energía, Red Eléctrica, and EDP Renovables, alongside key representatives from Spain’s regional governments and Latin America. Key discussion topics will include solar and wind energy, energy storage, green hydrogen, distributed generation, PPAs, auctions, and new projects.

Black & Veatch’s commitment to energy storage

Beyond green hydrogen, Black & Veatch has launched an ambitious strategy in the battery storage sector. According to Merjaneh, the company already has more than 21 GW of storage projects at different stages, including five currently under construction in Europe.

“In Europe, we have started the construction of five energy storage projects. The key lies in designing appropriate contracting schemes, as the business model continues to evolve,” he explained. “It is essential to find the right balance between the developer and the client when deciding whether to opt for a full EPC model or for battery acquisition with later integration.”

One of the biggest challenges for battery storage expansion in the region is regulatory uncertainty and interconnection permits. “The main obstacle to the maturity of these projects remains regulation and administrative procedures,” Merjaneh stated. “Despite this, we are seeing significant progress and continue to execute strategic projects in the UK and the European Union,” he added.

Green hydrogen: incentives and scalability as key growth factors

While green hydrogen is a fundamental piece in the energy transition, Merjaneh warned that major barriers still hinder its large-scale deployment. “We have yet to reach the necessary scale to make green hydrogen competitive. Currently, we are still working with electrolysers of only 5 MW, meaning that for a 220 MW project, more than 40 units are required,” he explained.

In this regard, Black & Veatch stresses the need for government incentives aimed at both developers and final buyers. “Existing subsidies primarily focus on developers, but they should also target offtakers to stimulate demand and make projects viable,” Merjaneh pointed out.

From a contractual perspective, the executive highlighted the importance of adopting progressive approaches in engineering and execution. “At the ACES Delta project, we have established safety and design standards in the absence of defined regulations. There is still much to be defined in terms of regulation, which poses an additional challenge,” he noted.

Finally, Merjaneh emphasised that green hydrogen and battery storage should not be seen as competing technologies, but rather as complementary solutions within the energy ecosystem. “Each has its own business model and applications. The key is to find the right balance to integrate them efficiently into the grid,” he concluded.

Upcoming challenges for the expansion of hydrogen and energy storage in Europe

The growth of green hydrogen and battery storage in Europe will depend on several factors. Greater regulatory clarity is essential, particularly regarding permits and business models that enable accelerated expansion. Additionally, scalability in the production of electrolysers and batteries is crucial to reducing costs and facilitating widespread adoption.

Another critical aspect is the need for more balanced incentives that support both supply and demand. While subsidies are typically directed at developers, the lack of support for final buyers makes it difficult for many projects to achieve profitability. In this sense, new financing strategies must evolve to provide models that ensure long-term viability and reduce investment uncertainty.

With 365 MW of green hydrogen and 21 GW of energy storage in progress, Black & Veatch continues to position itself as a key player in the future of clean energy in Europe and beyond. The company remains committed to innovation and the development of new technologies that enable an efficient and sustainable energy transition.