Orsted could co-build a major wind-powered hydrogen and e-fuels facility in the US state of Wyoming after partnering with one of America’s largest fossil gas processors and distributors to look at 'power-to-x' opportunities.

The Danish offshore wind giant – which is also a major player in onshore renewables in the US – has signed a deal with Williams that could see the two “co-develop hydrogen or synthetic natural gas facilities powered by renewable energy”.

New York-listed Williams, which says it handles 30% of US gas supplies, operates large-scale facilities in western Wyoming, where the two will explore “a large-scale wind energy, electrolysis, and synthetic gas-via-methanation co-development”.

No further details were given over the scale or schedule of any potential project envisaged under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two.

The US onshore renewable-powered hydrogen plans mirror major initiatives flagged by Orsted in Europe to link giant offshore wind plants to green H2.

US energy secretary Jennifer Granholm in June made a push to slash the cost of green hydrogen production by 80% in the next decade the first of a series of ‘energy earthshots’ the DoE will announce to help underpin President Joe Biden’s ambitious climate agenda.

Vishal Kapadia, chief commercial officer of Orsted Onshore, said: “Combining our renewable development and operations expertise with access to large-scale gas transportation networks and infrastructure will further expand the scope of energy solutions we can deliver and positions us well to continue to develop innovative approaches to drive the decarbonisation of the energy system.”

Williams claimed its “nationwide footprint and best-in-class infrastructure expertise is well-positioned to advance the future of hydrogen, linking the lowest cost production sites for renewable hydrogen and other e-fuels to growing demand centres”.