Atlantic Copper inaugurates its CirCular plant on Monday 14 with an investment of €550 million, and Moeve lays the first stone of Onuba on Thursday 17, which will mobilise over €1 billion in green hydrogen.
The province of Huelva will concentrate this week on the launch of two of the largest industrial projects in Andalusia. Atlantic Copper will inaugurate its CirCular plant on Monday 14 to recover metals from electronic waste, while Moeve will lay the first stone of Onuba on Thursday 17, the first phase of the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley. According to elconciso.es, both events mark the beginning of industrial activity for two strategic value chains for Europe: critical raw materials and renewable fuels.
CirCular, which represents an investment of €550 million financed by Freeport, the sole shareholder of Atlantic Copper, will be able to process up to 60,000 tonnes annually of non-ferrous fractions from electrical and electronic devices, a volume similar to that generated each year in Spain. From these materials, copper, gold, silver, platinum, palladium, tin, nickel, and zinc will be recovered, essential resources for electrical, renewable, electronic, and mobility networks. The plant, which will be the first of its kind in Southern Europe, has been declared strategic by the Junta de Andalucía and the European Commission, and 40% of its budget has been allocated to environmental protection.
The construction of CirCular has peaked at 900 workers, and its operation will generate around 350 direct, indirect, and induced jobs. Atlantic Copper estimates that this new activity could increase its turnover by between 20% and 30% in the next financial year.
Three days later, Moeve will begin work on Onuba at the energy park La Rábida in Palos de la Frontera. This first phase of the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley will mobilise over €1 billion between the plant and the associated renewable generation, following the final investment decision made in March. Onuba will feature 300 megawatts of electrolysis and produce around 45,000 tonnes annually of green hydrogen. An additional 105 megawatts planned are contingent on electrical capacity and a new business approval. The project has received €263 million from the Recovery Plan and is scheduled to enter production, according to Moeve's timeline, in 2029.
Moeve estimates that construction will generate 3,900 direct jobs and over 4,500 indirect jobs. The hydrogen will reduce emissions from the complex and will be used to manufacture renewable fuels for aviation and heavy maritime transport. The company estimates it will avoid 250,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
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