Finnish technology company Wärtsilä has successfully demonstrated what it describes as the world’s first large-scale engine operating entirely on 100% hydrogen, supplying electricity to Spain’s national grid from its test facility in Bermeo.
The milestone marks a significant advance in hydrogen-based power generation, proving that large engine systems can run exclusively on hydrogen under real grid conditions.
The demonstration features Wärtsilä’s 31H2 engine, which is currently undergoing performance validation.
According to the company, the hydrogen-powered engine is designed to provide flexible, dispatchable electricity that can help balance intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
Green hydrogen also offers long-duration energy storage while producing no carbon emissions at the point of use.
Wärtsilä said the technology could support future low-carbon power systems and serve energy-intensive industries, including data centres, industrial facilities and off-grid applications.
