Starting Signal for Hydrogen Ramp-up
Funding is an important stimulus for North Westphalia - With around 4.6 billion euros, the federal and state governments are funding 22 hydrogen projects in Germany.
The following infrastructure projects by the GET H2 partners are:
- 300 MW electrolysis plant from RWE Generation in Lingen with commissioning of the first 100 MW plant in 2025,
- Hydrogen pipelines from the long-distance network operators GASCADE, Nowega, OGE and Thyssengas with the first commissioning as early as 2025,
- Cavern storage facility from RWE Gas Storage West in Epe with planned commissioning in 2027.
“This clears the way for the development of an efficient hydrogen infrastructure in our region,” commented Dr. Fritz Jaeckel, Managing Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry North Westphalia, on the handover of the funding decisions by Federal Minister of Economics Dr. Robert Habeck. Jaeckel expects that the development of the hydrogen economy in Münsterland and in the Emscher-Lippe region will gain significant momentum. "Now we can finally get started with the first major project in our region. This is an important impetus for the coming hydrogen market."
The funding decisions sent a clear signal that the course for the future is being set for Germany and especially for North Westphalia in turbulent times. The expansion of the hydrogen infrastructure that is now beginning will increase the attractiveness of the North Westphalia Chamber of Industry and Commerce district as a location and create planning and investment security for companies, explains Jaeckel. This particularly affects energy-intensive companies that are on the way to CO2-neutral production and are dependent on alternative energy sources. These include companies in the metalworking industry, the paper industry, brick production and the chemical industry.
In addition to suppliers, potential hydrogen users could also benefit from the expected hydrogen ramp-up. Jaeckel: "It is important that medium-sized industries and industrial areas as well as research institutions are also quickly connected to the hydrogen core network."
The North Westphalia region is perceived abroad as a hydrogen model region, as Sebastian van Deel, Head of Digitalization, Industry and International at the North Westphalia Chamber of Industry and Commerce, reports on discussions with business representatives from Singapore and the USA on the topics of battery research and hydrogen. The expansion of the hydrogen infrastructure and the technical know-how are attracting attention worldwide.
Source: IHK Nord Westfalen
Picture: BMWK