Statkraft, Europe’s largest renewable energy producer, is likely to receive support from the European Union in its plans to establish a hydrogen production facility in Emden, Lower Saxony. The company has been selected to negotiate a grant agreement for funding up to €107 million for its project, which includes a 200 MW electrolyzer and a 50 MW heat pump system. This facility could annually produce up to 20,000 tons of renewable hydrogen and up to 50,000 MWh of green heat. Statkraft already supplies industrial customers in Emden with district heating from its local biomass plant. The funding originates from the EU Innovation Fund, which promotes the development of innovative technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Europe.
"In Emden, we are opening the first chapter of our ambitious hydrogen plans in Germany," says Helge-Jürgen Beil, Vice President of Hydrogen at Statkraft in Germany. "We want to be a major player in the German hydrogen market, and we are very pleased that we can expect EU funding for this important project." Statkraft has already signed several letters of intent with potential buyers for green hydrogen and green district heating in Emden. The company will now enter negotiations with the EU regarding the grant agreement.
Meanwhile, Statkraft is also advancing with its hydrogen pilot project, developing a 10 MW electrolyzer in Emden to produce green hydrogen for the local transport sector. A final investment decision on constructing the pilot plant, which aims to supply hydrogen filling stations in the region, is expected later this year.
Green Hydrogen for Industry
Initially, up to 20,000 tons of renewable hydrogen will be provided from Emden for industrial decarbonization, followed by up to 50,000 MWh of district heating annually. The waste heat from electrolysis will be efficiently raised to a usable level using several large heat pumps and fed into the local district heating network.
The generated hydrogen is intended to be transported to customers nationwide via the hydrogen core network. With its extensive portfolio of renewable energy plants in Germany, Statkraft can ensure high utilization of the electrolyzer for green hydrogen production.