German Siemens Energy has been awarded a contract by its compatriot EWE to supply a 280-megawatt (MW) electrolysis system for a large-scale “Clean Hydrogen Coastline” project in Emden. Moreover, the parties have agreed on a ten-year service contract.
The electrolysis plant is expected to go into operation in 2027 and will provide up to 26,000 tons of green hydrogen annually for various industrial applications in the region.
The Siemens electrolyzer is based on proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology, which uses electricity to split water into its components hydrogen and oxygen along the PEM. This technology is said to be particularly suitable for operation with renewable energies due to the flexible ramp-up times.
To note, according to Siemens Energy, the hydrogen project consists of four sub-projects and the electrolyzer represents the core of the hydrogen production plant.
The project is classified as a strategic funding measure, a so-called Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI), with the funding decision handed over to EWE in July 2024.
Anne-Laure de Chammard, Member of the Executive Board of Siemens Energy, commented: “This project is an important element in the ramp-up of the green hydrogen industry in Germany. With the long-awaited funding commitments, the German government has placed the final piece of the puzzle to realize strategically important projects like this on a large scale. The immediate conclusion of the contract with EWE demonstrates that the industry is ready to swiftly implement these projects.”
Stefan Dohler, EWE’s CEO, stated: “EWE is active along the entire value chain with its hydrogen projects, from production to transportation and storage. Our choice of location in north-west Germany and our decision to work with Siemens Energy means that we are focusing on both regional and national value creation. I am delighted that we are also working with Siemens Energy on hydrogen, as the company is already a long-standing partner for EWE in all aspects of our energy infrastructure.”