RWE Launches Pilot Electrolyser Plant in Lingen to Advance Green Hydrogen Production

RWE Launches Pilot Electrolyser Plant in Lingen to Advance Green Hydrogen Production

(IN BRIEF) RWE has inaugurated a pilot electrolyser plant in Lingen, Germany, aimed at advancing green hydrogen production. The 14-megawatt facility, which can generate up to 270 kilograms of green hydrogen per hour using renewable energy, will provide insights for future large-scale hydrogen projects. The launch event featured Federal Minister Robert Habeck and Lower Saxony Minister President Stephan Weil, both emphasizing the significance of the project for Germany’s energy transition. RWE plans to expand hydrogen production at the site and has received substantial funding for both the pilot and a larger commercial electrolyser project. The initiative is part of the GET H2 project, which seeks to establish public hydrogen infrastructure and support industrial decarbonization efforts. For further details, visit RWE’s website.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESSEN, 13-Aug-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — RWE has officially launched its pilot electrolyser plant in Lingen, marking a significant step in the development of green hydrogen production in Germany. The commissioning event featured notable attendees, including Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck and Lower Saxony’s Minister President Stephan Weil, who highlighted the project’s importance for the energy transition.

Situated adjacent to RWE’s Emsland gas-fired power plant, the 14-megawatt facility can produce up to 270 kilograms of green hydrogen per hour using renewable energy. This pilot plant, equipped with two different electrolysis technologies, aims to provide crucial insights for the future establishment of large-scale hydrogen production facilities. A larger commercial electrolyser, part of the GET H2 Nukleus project, is also under construction nearby, with a planned capacity of 100 megawatts to be operational by 2025.

Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE AG, stated, “Lingen is a key location for Germany’s energy transition. We are committed to expanding our green hydrogen production here to meet industrial demand and support decarbonisation efforts. This project illustrates our vision of a complex hydrogen economy.”

Federal Minister Habeck emphasized the importance of such facilities, stating, “Supporting hydrogen across the value chain is vital for a sustainable economy in Germany. The electrolysis technology being developed in Lingen will play a crucial role in decarbonising both industry and the energy sector.”

Minister President Weil praised Lingen’s role as a leader in hydrogen production, noting that Lower Saxony aims to be a hub for hydrogen activities, including production and storage. He underscored the importance of fostering industrial demand for hydrogen and utilizing renewable energy sources effectively.

The pilot electrolyser has received significant funding, including eight million euros from the Lower Saxony Ministry for the Environment, Energy, and Climate Protection, as well as over 490 million euros for the larger electrolyser project from both the federal and state governments.

The pilot plant features two systems: a 10-megawatt alkaline electrolyser from Sunfire and a 4-megawatt PEM electrolyser developed by Linde. Initially, the hydrogen produced will be integrated into the gas turbine at the power plant, with plans to provide hydrogen fuel for vehicles by mid-2025.

As part of the GET H2 initiative, RWE is collaborating to create Germany’s first public hydrogen infrastructure, connecting production facilities to industrial consumers across Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. This initiative aims to significantly enhance the hydrogen economy and assist industries in achieving climate goals.

For more information on RWE’s hydrogen projects in Lingen, visit www.rwe.com/en/the-group/countries-and-locations/lingen/.

Images related to the pilot electrolyser plant can be accessed from the RWE Media Centre.

RWE
RWE is leading the way to a green energy world. With its investment and growth strategy Growing Green, RWE is contributing significantly to the success of the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the energy system. Around 20,000 employees work for the company in almost 30 countries worldwide. RWE is already one of the leading companies in the field of renewable energy. Between 2024 and 2030, RWE will invest 55 billion euros worldwide in offshore and onshore wind, solar energy, batteries, flexible generation, and hydrogen projects. By the end of the decade, the company’s green portfolio will grow to more than 65 gigawatts of generation capacity, which will be perfectly complemented by global energy trading. RWE is decarbonising its business in line with the 1.5-degree reduction pathway and will phase out coal by 2030. RWE will be net-zero by 2040. Fully in line with the company’s purpose – Our energy for a sustainable life.

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SOURCE: RWE