Hamburger Energiewerke (HEnW) and its project partner Luxcara will receive state funding for the 100MW Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub (HGHH) project on the site of the former Moorburg coal-fired power plant.
Furthermore, Gasnetz Hamburg, the municipal network operator, is receiving funding for the construction of the first 40km of the HH-WIN hydrogen distribution network.
The Federal government and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg are jointly providing more than €250m of funding for both projects.
These two significant infrastructure schemes are central to Hamburg’s future hydrogen economy.
The EU Commission had already approved funding for the IPCEI projects in mid-February, paving the way for national backing.
Gasnetz Hamburg will begin constructing the central infrastructure for Hamburg’s hydrogen industry this summer, with the network’s completion expected by 2027 according to the IPCEI funding.
The HGHH consortium will also take the next steps by ordering large components for the 100MW electrolyser this year, allowing construction to begin as early as 2025.
Gasnetz Hamburg managing director Michael Dammann said: “With the construction and, from 2027, the operation of HH-WIN, our company is a driver of innovation and the transformation of gaseous energy sources.
“We are delighted to now be able to tackle this key project for Gasnetz Hamburg in close collaboration with politic and economic stakeholders.
“As we have to get an operational hydrogen distribution network up and running in just two years, we have advanced the planning in recent years to the point that we are already in the approval and tendering process now.
“I therefore ask politicians and authorities to support these processes as well.”
Luxcara project director Holger Matthiesen said: “We believe in the urgent need for an energy transition and are convinced that a holistic approach is required to achieve it.
“The HGHH project will significantly contribute to the ramp-up of the domestic hydrogen economy.
“We are delighted that the Federal government and BMWK have also acknowledged this potential with their funding decision, and support our mission. Together with Hamburger Energiewerke, we will continue to rapidly implement the project.”
The former Moorburg coal-fired power plant is currently being dismantled to accommodate the 100MW electrolyser.
Parts of the existing infrastructure and facilities, such as water treatment facilities, quayside infrastructure, and workshop and storage buildings, will be retained.
The existing connection to the extra-high voltage grid, through which electricity from renewable energy sources will be supplied to the electrolyser in the future, will be converted and relocated.
The necessary planning is underway, and the electrolyser is expected to begin commercial operation in 2027.