Germany – The transition from natural gas to green hydrogen is gaining momentum, and the “Electrolysis Corridor East Germany” project by Enertrag is playing a crucial role in driving this shift.
Referred to as “doing hydrogen,” this joint initiative aims to utilize wind power to produce hydrogen and inject it into the existing gas networks in East Germany. With early implementation approval from the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK), the project is poised to have a significant impact on the region’s hydrogen production capabilities.
Utilizing existing infrastructure
Central to the “East Germany Electrolysis Corridor” is the utilization of the existing gas network infrastructure for electrolysis-based hydrogen production. The project involves the installation of electrolyzers with a combined capacity of 210 MW at three locations along a north-south axis: Güstrow, Treuenbrietzen, and Bitterfeld-Wolfen. These sites will generate green hydrogen using wind power, with Güstrow hosting a 55 MW electrolyzer, Treuenbrietzen with 30 MW, and Bitterfeld-Wolfen with 25 MW. Furthermore, a gas pipeline will connect the network hub near Treuenbrietzen to Rüdersdorf near Berlin, facilitating hydrogen distribution.
Implementation start
Enertrag has received the go-ahead from the BMWK to commence implementation, even before the funding process is finalized. This early approval marks a significant milestone for the project, which has been designated as an “Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI).” IPCEI projects hold strategic significance at the European level due to their size and potential impact on economic development and cohesion within the European Union. Despite the early start, Enertrag remains eligible for funding, pending final approval.
Hydrogen expansion
The green light for the early implementation of the “Electrolysis Corridor East Germany” project represents a positive step toward the rapid expansion of the hydrogen economy in the region. Manuela Blaicher, Head of PtX Project Development Germany at Enertrag, emphasizes the importance of large-scale electrolyzer sites in facilitating the market ramp-up of the hydrogen sector in East Germany. The BMWK’s decision clears the path for tangible progress, fostering optimism and enthusiasm among the project’s team.
