Uniper, Salzgitter to cocoparte on Green Wilhelmshaven hydrogen project
The Wilhelmshaven site offers all the necessary preconditions for creating Germany’s first major hydrogen hub.
Uniper and Salzgitter AG concluded a cooperation agreement with the aim of Uniper supplying the SALCOS project in Salzgitter with green hydrogen for the production of climate-compatible steel.
The cooperation is focused on supplying hydrogen from Wilhelmshaven, where Uniper is developing two projects in parallel for green hydrogen. Firstly, an import terminal capable of converting green ammonia into hydrogen is planned. Secondly, Uniper envisages building a large electrolysis plant that will produce green hydrogen with a capacity of up to 1,000 MW.
The potential for a direct connection to the offshore wind farm built in the North Sea is to be investigated. The electrolysis plant and the entire downstream hydrogen infrastructure function are similar to a shock absorber that, if strong winds blow, can store the wind energy expediently as hydrogen and make it transportable.
With the aim of supplying Salzgitter through the evolving German hydrogen pipeline network and for the development of cavern storage facilities, Uniper and Salzgitter AG will be cooperating with additional prestigious partners.
Together, the two companies will drive the ambitious vision of decarbonizing Germany’s industry to support the climate targets by contributing to this objective with specific projects.
Gunnar Groebler, CEO of Salzgitter AG, said, “The secure and economically viable sourcing of green hydrogen is a fundamental prerequisite on our journey toward SALCOS – Salzgitter Low CO2-Steelmaking.”
Klaus-Dieter Maubach, CEO of Uniper SE, added, “Large-scale hydrogen production facilities are to be built here for the purpose of decarbonizing steel production in Lower Saxony.“
