Uniper, one of Europe’s largest power producers and a global gas trader, and offshore wind developer Ørsted have announced they are working together to develop “offshore wind and hydrogen at large scale”
The companies said transmission system operator TenneT ‘stands ready’ as a partner to support them and, among other things, “to realise the transport of wind power from sea to land.”
Uniper and Ørsted have signed a memorandum of understanding committing them to the goal of jointly developing offshore wind with hydrogen. This is to be achieved through direct integration of hydrogen production from offshore wind power at Uniper’s Wilhelmshaven site.
Uniper Hydrogen chief executive Axel Wietfeld said, “Germany and Europe need ‘green electrons’ and ‘green molecules.’
“Through this strategic partnership with Ørsted, we have exactly the right setup to combine economic and environmental goals in Wilhelmshaven. By integrating offshore wind and hydrogen, we can help industries such as the chemical, steel and transport sectors to decarbonise.”
Ørsted Germany managing director Jörg Kubitza said, “Green hydrogen from offshore wind is the driver of German decarbonisation. I am pleased that in Uniper we have a partner who will continue to promote generation of renewable offshore wind.”
TenneT chief operating officer Tim Meyerjürgens 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, on the coast. TenneT stands ready to support Ørsted and Uniper in their ambitious goals."
Uniper began developing the Wilhelmshaven Green Hydrogen project in 2020. It is expected that an electrolysis plant with a capacity of 70 MW will be installed by 2025, to be expanded to 410 MW by 2030. The renewable electricity required for the electrolysis will prospectively come from Ørsted offshore wind turbines.
Uniper said the site in Wilhelmshaven “has all the necessary prerequisites” to play a key role in the local energy transition. “In addition, direct conversion of renewable electricity into green hydrogen means that any power grid bottlenecks can be avoided,” the company said.
Earlier in 2021, Shell Gas & Power Developments and Uniper Hydrogen also signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the development of green hydrogen in Europe.
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