RWE Granted Regulatory Approval for the Establishment of a 200-Megawatt Green Hydrogen Facility in Germany

RWE, a prominent energy company, has reached a significant milestone in its hydrogen project known as GET H2 Nukleus. The regulatory authority in Oldenburg, Germany, has granted permission for the construction and operation of the project's first two 100-Megawatt (MW) electrolyzers, which will be situated at the RWE gas-fired power plant in Lingen. These electrolyzers will be operated by "Nukleus Green H2," a subsidiary of RWE.

The 200-MW plant has the capacity to produce an impressive 35,000 tons of green hydrogen annually. This green hydrogen is poised to play a pivotal role in helping industrial companies substantially reduce their carbon emissions. Notably, this electrolyzer project in Lingen represents a groundbreaking achievement, as it marks the first hydrogen production plant of such magnitude in Germany.

This momentous announcement comes seven months after the Oldenburg Trade Inspectorate confirmed the completeness of a comprehensive 2,250-page application document submitted for the project. The subsequent issuance of the certificate of approval by the authority signifies a significant step forward.

In Germany, obtaining approval based on the Federal Emission Control Act is a prerequisite for the construction and operation of large-scale hydrogen production plants. This rigorous process entails a thorough examination of all potential effects, including emissions. The 78-page approval document outlines precise technical, organizational, and environmental requirements that must be adhered to during both the construction and operation phases.

The Lingen site holds strategic significance in RWE's hydrogen strategy. The company aims to establish hydrogen generation capabilities totaling 300 megawatts in increments of 100 megawatts by 2027 through its GET H2 project. As a preliminary step, RWE plans to commission a 14-megawatt pilot plant in Lingen by the end of 2023. This pilot facility will be used to test two electrolyzer technologies—Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) and pressurized alkali—considered for future hydrogen projects.

GET H2 Nukleus is one of the large-scale hydrogen projects nominated in 2021 by the German government and federal states for potential funding under the "Important Projects of Common European Interest" (IPCEI) program. While binding funding commitments are still pending, the operating company took proactive measures by ordering the first two 100-megawatt electrolysers in January. This proactive approach ensures that planned commissioning dates can be met should funding be granted.

RWE has positioned itself as a comprehensive provider of hydrogen solutions, encompassing the generation of green electricity, expertise in green hydrogen production and storage, and energy trading to ensure a consistent supply of hydrogen to industrial customers. Currently, RWE is engaged in more than 30 hydrogen projects in collaboration with strong partners, underlining its commitment to advancing the hydrogen economy and contributing to sustainable energy solutions.