Plug Power allies with Carreras Grupo Logístico to implement the first hydrogen-powered logistics site in Spain
Plug Power Inc., a global leader in comprehensive hydrogen solutions for the green hydrogen economy, is collaborating with Carreras Grupo Logístico to launch a complete green hydrogen ecosystem in Spain. The initiative will aim to establish, through a fuel cell technology advantages validation project, the first hydrogen-powered logistics site in Spain at Carreras Grupo Logístico’s logistics center in Masquefa, Barcelona.
Plug is working with Carreras to replace existing lead-acid battery-powered forklifts with hydrogen fuel cells to support decarbonization and efficiency improvements of Carreras Grupo Logístico’s operations. The transition to green hydrogen will improve energy efficiency, productivity, and sustainability while reducing operational costs.
The project at Masquefa will serve as a testing site to evaluate the improvements using Plug’s technology over batteries. Insights gained from the project will be used to scale the hydrogen fuel cell technology across other sites in Spain and integrate it into Carreras Group’s core logistics business which includes 46 warehouses.
If the project is successful, Plug will deliver to Carreras Grupo Logístico a complete green hydrogen ecosystem, including hydrogen fuel cells, a 1 MW (megawatt) electrolyzer, and a hydrogen refuelling station.
“We are excited to work with Carreras Grupo Logístico to usher in a landmark moment: the first hydrogen-powered logistics site in Spain,” noted Andy Marsh. “This strategic collaboration highlights the transformative potential of hydrogen-powered solutions to achieve the twin goals of decarbonization and operational gains in the logistics sector.”
The benefits of hydrogen fuel cells over lead-acid batteries are vast: fuel cells can be refuelled within minutes compared to several hours for batteries. The technology increases productivity by minimizing equipment downtime and requires less frequent servicing for a significantly reduced operational cost. Moreover, hydrogen fuel cell technology contributes to reducing the carbon footprint – a priority for Carreras Grupo Logístico.
The global market for hydrogen fuel cell forklifts is growing, with increasing adoption in North America, Europe, and Asia. Major companies like Amazon and Walmart have already deployed tens of thousands of hydrogen fuel cell forklifts in their operations, citing improved productivity and cost savings as key benefits.
