Virya Energy, John Cockerill and Novandi obtain support from the Walloon Region to develop a hydrogen valley in the Liège region

Braine-l'Alleud, 20/12/2024 - On 19 December, the VALLHYÈGE project led by Virya Energy and John Cockerill was officially selected by the Walloon Government as part of the call for projects for the first hydrogen valley in Wallonia, launched in June 2024. The VALLHYÈGE project (VALLée HYdrogène liÈGE), rooted in the Liège region, aims to build and operate a sustainable hydrogen production unit, establish a distribution station for heavy-duty vehicles, adapt and operate a hydrogen-powered barge, and deploy over 15 hydrogen-powered trucks. VALLHYÈGE represents the first ecosystemic project in Wallonia, paving the way for accelerating the transition to a sustainable hydrogen economy.

This renewable hydrogen project, which contributes to the energy transition and regional decarbonisation objectives, is supported by a €25 million subsidy from the Walloon Government.

A hydrogen ecosystem spanning the entire value chain

This hydrogen valley is centred on the construction of a 15 MW hydrogen production unit, designed to supply transport and mobility applications, as well as niche industrial uses. The decarbonisation of heavy road transport and inland waterway transport are particular focuses. The subsidies obtained will support Novandi's decarbonisation efforts by adapting and operating a hydrogen barge, as well as the zero-emission transport initiatives of several logistics players (Colruyt Group, JOST, Beyers Transport Belgium, Trafuco, Ninatrans, G Snel Transport).

Hydrogen compression and distribution infrastructure will be deployed to serve various applications. The hydrogen will be produced by three 5 MW pressurised alkaline electrolysers, designed by John Cockerill and manufactured at the Group's European facility. The integration of renewable energy will ensure the project aligns sustainably with current and future energy networks.

A pioneer in decarbonising the transport sector in Belgium

Renewable hydrogen is a crucial driver of the energy transition in the transport sector. It primarily serves as a versatile resource for heavy-duty mobility while offering solutions for specific industrial applications. VALLHYÈGE contributes to the emergence of hydrogen ecosystems in the Benelux, advancing the EU’s goals for climate neutrality.

A strategic location

The Liège region is a strategic hub for building such an ecosystem. It boasts a unique density of infrastructure (Liège Airport, Liège Port, the Trilogiport multimodal platform, and a future hydrogen transport network), major logistical corridors (a strategic European crossroads of key transport routes), and industrial clusters (the Liège industrial basin, John Cockerill’s electrolyser assembly plant, Feluy industrial zone, Port of Antwerp, and the Ruhr Basin).

Press contacts

About Virya Energy ​
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Virya Energy, founded in 2019 through a partnership between Colruyt Group and its majority shareholder Korys, is a Belgian pioneer in renewable energy development. The company operates across the complete sustainable energy value chain. Virya Energy's operations span Europe through its grid solutions and C&I platforms, and Asia through subsidiaries Sanchore and Constant Energy. The company manages energy distribution via DATS 24 and develops sustainable hydrogen projects both directly and through Dhyve and Hiringa. Virya Energy also holds strategic investments in renewable industry service providers, including GeoXYZ, DotOcean, Fluves, and Marlinks. Through its "fit for purpose energy" strategy, Virya Energy delivers tailored solutions from production to end-users, accelerating the energy transition and driving technological innovation.
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About John Cockerill ​
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Driven since 1817 by the entrepreneurial spirit and thirst for innovation of its founder, the John Cockerill Group develops large-scale technological solutions to meet the needs of its time: facilitating access to low carbon energies, enabling sustainable industrial production, preserving natural resources, contributing to greener mobility, enhancing security and installing critical infrastructures. Its offer to companies, States and communities consists of services and associated equipment for the sectors of energy, defence, industry, the environment, transports, and infrastructures. With over 6,000 employees, John Cockerill achieved a turnover of € 1,201 billion in 2023 in 29 countries, on 5 continents.
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About Novandi ​
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Novandi is a major player in multimodality in Wallonia. As the operator of several multimodal platforms, the group is positioned as the reference partner for the handling of bulk cargo, containers, swap bodies and trailers from road to rail and waterway. The group currently manages the bimodal rail terminal at Liège Airport and the trimodal terminals at Montignies-sur-Sambre, Renory (Angleur), Trilogiport (Hermalle-sous-argenteau) and Avelgem.
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About Colruyt Group
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Colruyt Group, Belgium's leading retailer with over 33,000 employees, combines logistics expertise, innovation and a commitment to sustainability. With a strong presence in the Walloon Region, the Group manages several major logistics sites, creating local employment and supplying its food and non-food chains on a daily basis. A pioneer in the field of hydrogen, Colruyt Group can draw on solid experience from innovative projects such as H2Haul, H2Benelux and BelgHyCo, illustrating its key role in the energy transition. Through these initiatives, the Group continues to invest in sustainable solutions to build a clean and responsible energy future.
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About Ninatrans ​
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Ninatrans, a key player in national and international road transport, stands out for its expertise in time-sensitive and critical transport. With a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation, Ninatrans is a pioneer in Belgium in the use of clean transport technologies, including trucks running on LNG, HVO and electric e-trucks. Already firmly established in Wallonia through its operations at Liège Airport and its warehouse in Loncin, the company continues to invest to support the strategic growth of its air cargo business.
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About JOST ​
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JOST is an international transport and logistics company, present in 10 countries and operating in Europe and North Africa. It offers road transport solutions (full loads, groupage, bulk, containers, temperature-controlled) and integrated logistics, thanks to its strategic presence, notably at the Trilogiport in Liège. With 3,000 employees, 1,700 trucks, 4,000 trailers and over 700,000 m² of warehousing space in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, JOST handles millions of pallets a year. The company has embarked on an ambitious decarbonisation programme, focusing on green technologies, alternative fuels and multimodal solutions to reduce its CO2 emissions and promote sustainable transport. Recently awarded its second star in the LEAN & GREEN programme, JOST is on the road to greater sustainability.
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About GROUP BEYERS INTERNATIONAL
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BEYERS TRANSPORT BELGIUM SRL, founded in early 2000 by Luc Beyers, is one of the 5 companies in the Beyers International Group. The company specialises in the road transport of maritime containers, and is mainly active on the 3 inland terminals in Liège. The group works closely with DPW Liège Containers Terminals (NOVANDI Group), for which it has been providing and managing road schedules since 2006, and is now participating with its Liège company in the Vallhyège project to integrate ‘zero emission’ solutions. Committed to sustainable logistics, the company is actively exploring alternative engines to reduce the ecological footprint of its business.
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About Trafuco ​
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TRAFUCO, a division of the ALTREA Group - one of the five largest transport groups in Belgium - stands out for its expertise in the transport of liquid, compressed gas and cryogenic products. With a fleet of 250 tractors and 350 semi-tankers, and a team of almost 300 employees, TRAFUCO is a key partner for many industrial clients in the Liège region. With its sights firmly set on the future, TRAFUCO is banking on hydrogen to decarbonise its business, with pioneering achievements including the first European hydrogen-powered tractor to be authorised for transporting hazardous materials. Thanks to its innovative initiatives, TRAFUCO is fully committed to the energy transition and continues to strengthen its presence in Wallonia.
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About Snel ​
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Snel is an innovative logistics company founded in 1985, distinguished by its commitment to sustainable transport. Based on three fundamental pillars - ‘Driving better alternatives,’ ‘Driving better together,’ and ‘Driving better operations’ - the company has already made significant progress towards reducing CO2 emissions, notably through initiatives such as the use of electric trucks, HVO100s and ecological combinations (Ecocombi). Today, the adoption of hydrogen as a fuel represents the next strategic step for Snel towards zero-emission transport.
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