RWE has unveiled plans to build a hydrogen-compatible combined cycle power plant with a capacity of around 850 megawatts at the site of its former coal-fired station in Voerde, North Rhine-Westphalia. The project represents a major step toward Germany’s secure and climate-neutral energy future, providing flexible, low-emission generation capacity essential for the nation’s coal phase-out.
The hydrogen-ready gas plant will play a vital role in stabilising Germany’s power system as renewable energy expands, ensuring reliable electricity even when wind and solar output fluctuates. It will also position Voerde as a cornerstone of the country’s future hydrogen economy, thanks to its direct location on the planned hydrogen core network pipeline.
The German government’s upcoming tender programme for hydrogen-compatible gas-fired power plants, part of its national power plant strategy, will determine which projects move forward. RWE is preparing to participate in these tenders and, if selected, intends to begin construction at Voerde immediately.
“We are ready to invest in building new hydrogen-compatible power plants,” said Nikolaus Valerius, CEO of RWE Generation SE. “With our Voerde project, we have completed extensive planning and can deliver by 2030. What we now need is regulatory clarity from the federal government so that tenders can proceed without delay.”
The Voerde site offers a strong foundation for redevelopment, benefiting from existing infrastructure, grid connections, and skilled local labour. Construction and operation of the new plant are expected to create secure jobs and generate long-term regional value.
In 2024, RWE commissioned an American-Spanish consortium—GE Vernova and Técnicas Reunidas—to design and plan the new facility based on proven combined cycle technologies. The plant will be capable of running on at least 50% hydrogen from the outset, with full conversion to 100% hydrogen operation planned as supply infrastructure expands.
To meet the ambitious 2030 target, RWE is calling for an accelerated approval process that includes early public participation, ensuring both transparency and timely project delivery.
Once complete, the Voerde hydrogen-ready power plant will become one of Germany’s most advanced and flexible generation assets, helping to ensure energy security, industrial competitiveness, and a successful transition to climate neutrality.
