EPIC signs interdisciplinary MoU for green fuels hub on Texas Gulf Coast

EPIC Midstream Holdings LP, Apex Clean Energy LLC, Ares Management Corp., and the Port of Corpus Christi Authority (PCCA) have entered into a nonbinding memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore development of a green hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and export operation, including a newly constructed dedicated pipeline and a green fuels hub at the Port of Corpus Christi on the Texas Gulf Coast.

The project would produce green hydrogen and other derivative green fuels in volumes not yet seen in the US, with additional scale possible by decade’s end, the parties said in a joint statement Feb. 22.

Apex expects to utilize its portfolio of wind and solar projects currently in development in Texas to power infrastructure producing green hydrogen and derivative green fuels products. EPIC will consider leveraging its pipeline construction and operating experience to accelerate development of a new, dedicated green fuels pipeline. The project would also aim to leverage and develop existing and new storage, processing, and export infrastructure sited on real estate owned by PCCA.

Ares and PCCA previously executed a separate nonbinding MoU in May 2021, with the intention of developing renewable energy infrastructure on PCCA-owned property to support the production of green hydrogen and optionality to provide renewable power directly to the port and its customers. This MOU builds on that effort, specifically with respect to the development of green fuels projects, the parties said.

Such a project could decarbonize “difficult-to-abate industries—including the transportation, shipping, fertilizer, chemical, and refining sectors—and include optionality for global export. This would be green fuel production at gigawatt scale,” said Mark Goodwin, Apex Clean Energy president and chief executive officer.