Orsted and German energy company Uniper have formed a strategic partnership to jointly develop offshore wind with hydrogen at a large scale.
This is to be achieved in particular through a system-serving direct integration of hydrogen production from offshore wind power at a site at Wilhelmshaven.
Uniper began developing the Wilhelmshaven green hydrogen project in 2020.
It is expected that an electrolysis plant with a capacity of 70MW will be installed from 2025, to be expanded to 410MW by 2030.
The renewable electricity required for the electrolysis will prospectively come from Orsted offshore wind turbines.
Transmission system operator TenneT will also partner to support the duo in the transport of wind power from sea to land.
Uniper Hydrogen chief executive Axel Wietfeld said: “Germany and Europe must remain strong industrial locations – and at the same time achieve the ambitious climate protection targets. For this, we need ‘green electrons’ and ‘green molecules’.
“Through the strategic partnership with Orsted, we have exactly the right setup to combine economic and ecological goals directly on site in Wilhelmshaven.
“By integrating offshore wind and hydrogen, we can significantly support industries such as the chemical, steel or transport sectors in their decarbonization.”
Orsted Germany managing director Jorg Kubitza said: “Green hydrogen from offshore wind power is the driver of German decarbonization, as it plays a key role for future climate neutrality.
“Therefore, Germany as an industrial location needs much more green electricity than previously planned.
“I am very pleased that in Uniper we have a partner at our side who will continue to push and promote the generation of renewable offshore wind power with us in order to be able to achieve Germany’s climate targets.”
TenneT chief operating officer Tim Meyerjurgens said: “Integrated planning of electricity and hydrogen will become the key factor in a successful energy transition.
“Electrolysis must take place where renewables are generated and available in sufficient quantities, namely primarily on the coasts. As a reliable partner in shaping the energy transition, TenneT stands ready to support Ørsted and Uniper in their ambitious goals.”
Wilhelmshaven could develop into a hydrogen center for Lower Saxony and serve as an example for similar projects, the partners said.
In addition, Uniper and Orsted are investigating CO2-free alternatives for stabilizing power grids, as well as green solutions for industrial customers with a high level of supply security – even in the event of possible dark periods.