© Friesen Elektra

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and Friesen Elektra Green Energy AG have initiated Project Anker, a significant green hydrogen initiative in Sande, Germany. This project is a major stride in Germany’s energy transition, targeting substantial decarbonization goals.

Hydrogen Production Capacity and Strategic Location 

Project Anker is strategically situated near Wilhelmshaven, a key energy and industrial hub, and close to Germany’s future hydrogen core network. Initially, the project will feature an electrolysis capacity of 400 MW. Plans are in place to double this capacity to 800 MW in subsequent phases.

Green Hydrogen Output and Regional Economic Benefits

 The facility is set to produce 80,000 tons of green hydrogen annually. This hydrogen will be utilized across vital German industries, including steel, chemicals, and transportation. The production is expected to significantly benefit the regional economy of Lower Saxony by generating new employment opportunities, driving growth, and fostering community engagement.

Renewable Energy Sources for Project Anker 

Renewable energy from the grid, supported by offshore and onshore wind, as well as solar energy, will power Project Anker. The shift from fossil fuels to green hydrogen is projected to cut CO₂ emissions by up to 2.4 million tons annually. This reduction is equivalent to the emissions from approximately 340,000 households.

CIP Partnership and Decarbonization Goals 

Felix Pahl, Partner at CIP, emphasized the project’s critical role in Germany’s path to carbon neutrality. He reiterated CIP’s commitment to investing in large-scale renewable infrastructure to decarbonize energy-intensive industries, despite the slower-than-anticipated market development for green hydrogen.

Christian Gätje, CFO of Friesen Elektra, highlighted the strategic partnership with CIP as a pivotal move toward establishing one of Germany’s leading hydrogen production sites. This collaboration is set to accelerate the energy transition and advance decarbonization efforts by leveraging the combined expertise and resources of both partners.

CIP’s Global Hydrogen Portfolio and Investments 

CIP’s Energy Transition Fund I (CI ETF I), the largest dedicated greenfield green hydrogen fund globally, underscores the firm’s leadership in the sector. The fund has amassed a portfolio of Power-to-X projects with a combined electrolyser capacity of around 6.5 GW worldwide. This reinforces CIP’s commitment to large-scale renewable energy solutions.