David Lisnard, President of the Cannes Lérins Urban Community and Mayor of Cannes, and Christelle Rouillé, Chif Executive Officer of Hynamics (EDF Group), today announced the launch of the first urban station for the production of renewable hydrogen via water electrolysis in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. This concrete programme to decarbonise public transport is being carried out in partnership with the Banque des Territoires and SEM Green Energy 06 (1) , and is co-funded by ADEME, the European Union (CINEA) and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region. It will power a total of 41 renewable hydrogen buses in the Cannes area, providing cleaner and quieter transport for the benefit of residents and the environment.
A carbon-free and sustainable public transport network
The “Cannes Lérins Hydrogène” station is an integral part of the sustainable decarbonisation strategy for the Cannes Lérins urban area’s public transport network. The use of renewable electrolytic hydrogen complements initiatives already in place, such as electric vehicles and biofuels. As a result, the Palm Bus network has been entirely carbon-free since 2023.
Over the coming weeks, residents of the local area will benefit from the first 14 hydrogen-powered buses in the Palm Bus public transport network, which will be deployed on routes A, B, 1 and 2.
Ultimately, 41 buses will be powered by locally produced renewable hydrogen, making a significant contribution to improving air quality. This will prevent the emission of 3,228 tonnes of CO₂ per year – the equivalent of taking 1,700 cars off the road. As a result, the 2.6 million kilometres travelled each year by the hydrogen-powered buses will generate zero CO₂ emissions.
Finally, the use of this energy of the future allows vehicles to be lighter, to have a range of over 300 km and to require only 15 minutes to recharge!
Electrolytic hydrogen: a carbon-free energy source contributing to the electrification of applications
Commissioned in less than a year, this innovative station produces hydrogen through water electrolysis, a process that uses electricity from the grid—a competitive, sovereign, abundant and low-carbon energy source—to separate hydrogen from oxygen. The non-potable water required for this process comes from treated wastewater from the Aquaviva treatment plant, thus guaranteeing a 100% renewable resource and a limited environmental impact.
This is a major programme and the first of its kind on this scale in France.
A station operated by Hynamics’ maintenance experts
The new hydrogen station is operated from Hynamics’ control centre, enabling round-the-clock remote monitoring 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round, as well as the planning of maintenance activities and performance monitoring to ensure optimal availability of hydrogen for the safe refuelling of buses. This expertise is the result of several years of experience, gained through Hynamics’ operation of the first hydrogen stations in France.
An investment in energy independence and the reduction of fossil fuels
The construction of the Cannes Lérins Hydrogen station represents an investment of over €15 million. Its financing is provided by the project company, which comprises:
- Hynamics (EDF Group) : 51%
- The Cannes Lérins Urban Community: 25%
- Banque des Territoires: 20%
- Green Energy 06: 4%
The project is also financially supported by:
- ADEME via the “2021 Regional Hydrogen Ecosystems” program: €5.026 million
- The European Union via the “Connecting Europe Facility” program: €2.563 million
- The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region: €750,000
The investment for the purchase of the buses amounts to €35 million, of which €3.45 million is funded by ADEME.
The creation of the region’s first hydrogen production plant is a major milestone for the Cannes area. It is the result of an environmental strategy based on investment and innovation. This new source of clean energy contributes to the decarbonisation of our Palm Bus public transport network, which has already been operational since 2023 thanks to electric and biofuel technologies. Furthermore, it secures our long-term supply as it is produced on-site from our treated wastewater. This is unprecedented in France and promotes our energy independence.
We are delighted to have supported the Cannes Lérins Urban Community in rolling out their first hydrogen buses with the commissioning of this first station built in an urban area. This partnership illustrates the trusting collaboration between the teams at Hynamics and those of the Urban Community. Furthermore, this project was carried out in complete safety with our partners ADF and Resato. This is the fourth station built and maintained by the Hynamics teams. Our mission is to support local authorities in decarbonising their regions and to help industry reduce its environmental impact.
As a public body committed to the sustainable development and transformation of regions, we are delighted to see the successful completion of this ambitious project led by the Cannes Lérins Urban Community, to which we are contributing as a shareholder in the project company and by financing the purchase of the first buses. Decarbonising transport remains a priority for our regions and a key focus for the Banque des Territoires.
This Cannes Lérins Hydrogen project perfectly illustrates the Alpes-Maritimes Department’s commitment to accelerating the energy transition in our region. By creating SEM Green Energy 06 in 2021, we sought to equip ourselves with an operational tool to develop local and sovereign renewable energies. Today, with this carbon-free hydrogen production station and the deployment of 41 clean buses, we are taking a major step towards more sustainable, quieter and more air-quality-friendly mobility. This partnership with the Cannes Pays de Lérins Urban Community, Hynamics, the Banque des Territoires and public funders demonstrates the strength of our collective commitment to serving local residents. The Department and Green Energy 06 continue to support these initiatives, which are turning our region into a centre of excellence for decarbonisation.
A propos
Hynamics is a subsidiary of the EDF Group that offers a turnkey solution to the industrial and mobility sectors for the production, storage and distribution of low-carbon and renewable hydrogen. It manages the investment, operation and maintenance of production and distribution facilities. Hynamics targets the sectors with the highest CO₂ emissions – industry and transport – and is involved in the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Low-carbon, renewable hydrogen is produced by water electrolysis, a technology that emits no CO₂ when the electricity used comes from decarbonised sources. In France, Hynamics operates five stations dedicated to heavy-duty transport. To follow our news, visit our LinkedIn Hynamics page.
La Banque des Territoires is one of the business lines of Caisse des Dépôts. It brings together internal expertise dedicated to regional development. Acting as a single point of contact for its clients, it works alongside all regional stakeholders: local authorities, local public enterprises, social housing organisations, legal professionals, businesses and financial institutions. It supports them in carrying out their projects of general interest by offering a range of solutions: advice, loans, equity investments, escrow services and banking services. By serving all regions, from rural areas to major cities, the Banque des Territoires aims to maximise its impact, particularly in the areas of ecological transition and social and territorial cohesion. The Banque des Territoires’ 37 local offices ensure that its activities are rolled out across all metropolitan and overseas territories. Working together to develop greener and more inclusive regions.
The Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Agency (CINEA) assists the European Commission in implementing the EU’s main programmes aimed at an ecological and sustainable transition. Through the effective implementation of its delegated programmes, CINEA contributes to economic development in the EU by strengthening competitiveness and protecting the environment. Over the period 2021–2027, CINEA manages around €65 billion in European funds, including €25.8 billion under the Connecting Europe Facility, to support sustainable transport infrastructure projects.
L’ADEME - At the heart of the remit entrusted to it by the Ministry for Ecological Transition, the Ministry for Energy and the Ministry for Research, ADEME – the Agency for Ecological Transition – shares its expertise and provides funding and support for transformation projects across a range of sectors: energy, the circular economy, decarbonisation of industry, mobility, construction, air quality, responsible consumption and production, sustainable food, the bioeconomy, land management, climate change adaptation and a just transition. ADEME engages citizens, businesses and local authorities to help them move towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient society. Firmly committed to combating climate change and resource degradation, it advises, facilitates and supports initiatives, from research to the dissemination of solutions. As a public industrial and commercial establishment (EPIC), ADEME also puts its expertise and foresight at the service of public policy. www.ademe.fr
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(1) Launched in October 2021, the Local Public-Private Partnership (SEML) GREEN Energy 06 is the latest initiative introduced by the Alpes-Maritimes Department to promote the development of renewable energy in the region.