Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has initiated project Anker, a green hydrogen production facility in Sande, Germany with an electrolysis capacity of 400MW with plans to expand capacity to 800MW at a later stage.
The project is being developed through CIP’s Energy Transition Fund (CI ETF I), and with Friesen Elektra Green Energy AG (Friesen Elektra).
Project Anker is strategically located near Wilhelmshaven, an important energy and industrial hub, and near the future German hydrogen core network.
It is projected to produce 80,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually which will benefit key German industries, including steel and chemicals, as well as the transport sector.
The project will bolster the regional economy in Lower Saxony by creating new jobs, growth and fostering active community engagement, CIP said.
Project Anker will be powered by renewable energy from the grid, supported by offshore and onshore wind, as well as solar energy.
By substituting fossil fuels with green hydrogen, the project can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 2.4 million tonnes annually, equivalent to the emissions of approximately 340,000 households.
Felix Pahl, partner at CIP, said: “Project Anker has the potential to make an important contribution to Germany’s journey towards a carbon-neutral future.
“At CIP, we continue to see a large potential in green hydrogen despite slower than expected market development and we remain committed to investments in large-scale renewable infrastructure solutions to decarbonize energy-intensive industries.
“We look very much forward to bring the project to realization together with our new partners at Friesen Elektra and to a constructive collaboration with the German authorities.”
Christian Gätje, chief financial officer at Friesen Elektra, added: “We are delighted to welcome CIP and its highly skilled, experienced team as a strategic investor and development partner in our Hydrogen Park Friesland.
“This collaboration is a major step towards creating one of Germany’s premier hydrogen production sites. Together, we aim to accelerate the energy transition and advance decarbonization by leveraging our combined strengths and expertise.”
CIP’s Energy Transition Fund I (CI ETF I) is the largest dedicated greenfield green hydrogen fund worldwide.
CI ETF I has built a market leading portfolio of Power-to-X projects, with around 6.5 GW of electrolyser capacity in its development portfolio globally.