Austria is taking a decisive step toward large-scale industrial decarbonisation by supporting the construction of a 140-megawatt green hydrogen facility being developed by OMV in Bruck an der Leitha, Lower Austria. Once operational in late 2027, the plant will rank among the largest hydrogen production sites in Europe and play a central role in cutting emissions at OMV’s Schwechat refinery.
OMV has now signed a funding agreement with Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH (aws) that secures up to €123 million in production support for the project. The initiative has already received a positive assessment from the European Hydrogen Bank, confirming its strategic importance at both national and EU level.
The electrolyser plant will be powered entirely by renewable electricity from wind, solar, and hydropower and is designed to produce up to 23,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year. By replacing fossil-based hydrogen at the Schwechat refinery, the project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by up to 150,000 tonnes annually, making it one of the most impactful decarbonisation measures in Austria’s industrial sector.
“This project sends a clear signal about Austria’s role in the future energy system,” said Alfred Stern, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of OMV. “The strong backing from the European Hydrogen Bank and the Austrian state demonstrates confidence in our approach. With this investment, we are showing how innovation, industrial competitiveness, and climate responsibility can go hand in hand.”
OMV is committing several hundred million euros to the development in Bruck an der Leitha. A dedicated 22-kilometre hydrogen pipeline will connect the plant directly to the Schwechat refinery, ensuring a stable and efficient supply of green hydrogen for fuel and chemical production.
According to Martijn van Koten, OMV Executive Vice President for Fuels and Chemicals, local hydrogen production is a critical lever for refinery decarbonisation: “This facility will allow us to significantly lower emissions at Schwechat while strengthening the resilience of our energy and feedstock supply.”
The project is also advancing through a planned joint venture with Masdar, one of the world’s leading clean energy companies. OMV and Masdar signed an agreement in November 2025 covering the financing, construction, and operation of the electrolyser plant. The joint venture is expected to be finalised in early 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder consent.
Once completed, the Bruck an der Leitha hydrogen plant will stand as a flagship project under Austria’s national hydrogen strategy and OMV’s Strategy 2030, reinforcing the country’s ambition to become a key hub for green hydrogen production and industrial decarbonisation in Europe.
