The Netherlands-based company VoltH2 has secured a site for green hydrogen development in Germany as part of its mission to build a chain of green hydrogen plants in Europe.
VoltH2 has selected Wilhelmshaven, Germany’s only deep-sea port and primary energy hub , as the location for its planned hydrogen plant, which will also mark the start of its activities in this country.
To this end, the company has now concluded an agreement with Niedersachsen Ports (NPorts) for the use of a four-hectare site after being in talks since June 2022.
Tobias Breitbach , Business Development Manager Germany, explains the choice for the North German port: “In addition to the planned terminals for the import of green ammonia and green hydrogen, Wilhelmshaven offers ideal conditions for the installation of large electrolysers. Nearby there are underground gas storage facilities with a planned connection to the long-distance hydrogen network.
“And let’s not forget the proximity of offshore wind farms with their renewable energy. Wilhelmshaven will become a green energy hub and a hotspot for the energy transition. It’s no wonder Wilhelmshaven was on our wish list.”
According to VoltH2’s current plans, the construction of the plant will start in 2026. At start-up, a capacity of up to 100 MW is anticipated.
André Jurres , Managing Director of VoltH2, said: “Knowledge of the local market is important in order to realise these plans. That’s why we created a German GmbH at the beginning of 2023. We are also expanding the German team with project managers and a business development manager. Because we consider Wilhelmshaven to be just the start of our German activities.”
Wilhelmsen is the company’s fourth site in Europe, with the first three sites located in Vlissingen, Terneuzen and Delfzijl.
VoltH2 has permits for production of up to 170 MW in Vlissingen and Terneuzen. Delfzijl, for which the permit application is underway, will further increase the capacity to between 230 and 300 MW.