GET H2 Nukleus Delivers First Renewable Hydrogen from Lingen to Marl
The GET H2 Nukleus hydrogen project has reached a major milestone with the first renewable hydrogen produced at RWE’s electrolysis plant in Lingen successfully transported by pipeline to the Marl Chemical Park in Germany’s Ruhr region.
The achievement marks the first time all key components of the integrated hydrogen project have operated together, demonstrating the viability of producing, transporting and supplying renewable hydrogen for industrial use through a dedicated hydrogen network.
Hydrogen produced during the commissioning of RWE’s two 100MW electrolysis plants in Lingen, Lower Saxony, is being transported through a 120-kilometre pipeline network operated by transmission system operators OGE, Nowega and SYNEQT, a subsidiary of Evonik. The hydrogen has now reached the Marl Chemical Park, where it is available for use in industrial production processes.
The milestone represents a significant step in Germany’s efforts to build a nationwide hydrogen economy and decarbonise energy-intensive industries. Parts of the GET H2 Nukleus project are supported by the German federal government and the states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia through the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) Hy2Infra programme.
The pipeline system also forms one of the first operational sections of Germany’s future hydrogen core network, which is being developed to connect hydrogen production, storage and industrial demand across the country.
Thomas Hüwener, Chief Executive Officer of OGE, said the project marks the start of operations for the company’s first hydrogen pipelines and provides valuable experience in developing future hydrogen market mechanisms, including network access, capacity booking and balancing under real operating conditions.
RWE is currently commissioning 200MW of electrolysis capacity at its Lingen site, with completion expected by the end of 2026. The company plans to expand total capacity to 300MW from 2027. The hydrogen produced meets the European Union’s Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) requirements, enabling industrial customers to use certified renewable hydrogen in their decarbonisation strategies.
Nikolaus Valerius, Chief Executive Officer of RWE Generation SE, said the successful delivery of renewable hydrogen from Lingen to Marl demonstrates that electrolysis, hydrogen transport infrastructure and industrial demand can operate as an integrated system. He added that the company will continue preparing the electrolysers for full commercial operation over the coming months.
The project partners say early collaboration with industrial customers has been instrumental in bringing the network into operation. Frank Heunemann, Managing Director of Nowega, said the project has moved from planning into practical operation, allowing the industry to gain valuable experience with real-world hydrogen transport and distribution.
Thomas Basten, Chairman of the Management Board of SYNEQT, said the arrival of hydrogen at Marl supports the long-term transformation of the chemical park by providing renewable hydrogen for industrial applications while making the site more attractive for future investment.
The GET H2 Nukleus project continues to expand with additional hydrogen infrastructure. A new 10-kilometre pipeline connecting Heek and Epe has already been completed, providing access to hydrogen storage facilities. RWE Gas Storage West plans to begin filling Europe’s first commercial hydrogen cavern storage facility by the end of 2026, with operations expected to start in mid-2027.
Further developments include the conversion of an existing pipeline between Legden and Dorsten to transport hydrogen by 2027, a new pipeline connecting Dorsten and Marl, and a completed hydrogen pipeline linking the Marl Chemical Park with the refinery at Gelsenkirchen-Scholven.
The successful delivery of hydrogen from Lingen to Marl highlights the growing maturity of Germany’s hydrogen infrastructure and demonstrates how renewable hydrogen production, transport, storage and industrial consumption can be integrated to support the country’s energy transition.
