© Axpo
The Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub (HGHH) is set to become a significant player in the European green energy landscape. This initiative recently awarded Siemens Energy a contract to supply a 100 MW electrolyzer. The project represents a pivotal development in Germany’s hydrogen sector, particularly as the country seeks to reduce carbon emissions and transition toward sustainable energy sources.
Located at the site of the former Moorburg coal-fired power plant, the HGHH will utilize the latest proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology. This technology efficiently converts electricity into hydrogen, providing an ideal solution for harnessing renewable energy sources. Christoph Cosler, Head of Business Development at Hamburger Energiewerke, highlighted the project’s importance, stating, “The order for the electrolyzer is a milestone for our project… After all the preparatory work, we are now moving on to the actual implementation.”
Construction is slated to begin in 2025, with the electrolyzer expected to produce around 10,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually once operational in 2027. The HGHH aims to integrate this hydrogen into the existing HH-WIN hydrogen distribution network, facilitating supply to various industries and applications. This move aligns with Germany’s broader ambitions to develop hydrogen infrastructure, particularly for sectors that are challenging to decarbonize, such as heavy industry and transportation.
Siemens Energy’s involvement brings not just technical expertise but also a commitment to a ten-year maintenance agreement for the electrolyzers. This partnership ensures the electrolyzer’s long-term operational reliability, which is critical for a project of this scale. Holger Matthiesen, Project Director at Luxcara, noted that the choice of PEM technology allows for high efficiency and availability, benefiting the entire HGHH project.
The HGHH project recently received funding through the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) initiative, which aims to bolster critical hydrogen projects across Europe. The German government has committed over EUR 250 million to support the development of this and other key projects. The recognition as an IPCEI project reflects the European Union’s commitment to promoting green hydrogen as a cornerstone of its energy strategy.
Germany’s hydrogen ambitions have gained momentum, with numerous projects coming online in the next few years. The HGHH stands out as a crucial component of this landscape, aiming to attract companies from diverse industries to utilize green hydrogen in their operations. Alexey Ustinov, Head of Sustainable Energy Systems at Siemens Energy, emphasized the project’s significance, stating, “The energy transition will not succeed without green molecules”.
