In a major milestone for Europe’s hydrogen economy, RWE and TotalEnergies have signed a 15-year agreement for the supply of 30,000 metric tons of green hydrogen per year to TotalEnergies’ Leuna refinery in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, starting in 2030. This marks the largest contracted volume of green hydrogen from an electrolyzer in Germany to date.
A Breakthrough for Industrial Decarbonization
The deal highlights hydrogen’s potential in reducing CO₂ emissions from refineries, one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonize. By replacing fossil-based hydrogen with green hydrogen, TotalEnergies expects to cut 300,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually—equivalent to the emissions of 140,000 cars per year.
Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE, stated:
“We are proud to secure the first long-term green hydrogen offtake agreement of this scale in Germany with TotalEnergies. Just six months after our investment decision for the 300 MW electrolysis plant in Lingen, we now have a key anchor customer. This deal demonstrates that hydrogen is viable with the right market incentives.”
Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, emphasized the role of infrastructure in making this project a reality:
“This agreement marks a crucial step in decarbonizing our Leuna refinery. Our long-term partnership with RWE will be key to achieving this goal, provided that Germany’s hydrogen backbone is completed as planned, and that regulatory support for green hydrogen customers remains strong.”
Hydrogen Infrastructure: A Key Enabler
The green hydrogen will be produced at RWE’s 300 MW electrolysis plant in Lingen (GET H2 Nucleus), set to begin operations by 2027. RWE will use electricity from renewable energy sources, ensuring compliance with EU regulations that require electrolysis to be powered by renewable electricity generated in the same hour.
To guarantee a stable hydrogen supply even during periods of low renewable energy generation, RWE will utilize the hydrogen storage facility in Gronau-Epe, which will be operational in 2027.
A Pioneering Step for Germany’s Hydrogen Economy
The agreement is a significant boost for Germany’s hydrogen infrastructure, aligning with the government’s goal of building a 9,000-kilometer hydrogen core network by 2032. This network will connect hydrogen production hubs like Lingen in Lower Saxony with major industrial hydrogen consumers like Leuna.
Leaders from both Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt praised the agreement as a pivotal moment for Germany’s clean energy transition:
- Stephan Weil, Prime Minister of Lower Saxony:
“This contract strengthens Lower Saxony’s role as Germany’s hydrogen leader, with 50% of the country’s EU-approved green hydrogen production and 20% of the hydrogen core network.”
- Dr. Reiner Haseloff, Minister President of Saxony-Anhalt:
“Green hydrogen is a key link between our renewable energy and chemical industries. This agreement reinforces Saxony-Anhalt’s leadership in the climate-neutral hydrogen economy.”
TotalEnergies’ Green Hydrogen Ambitions
TotalEnergies has committed to decarbonizing its refineries across Europe and is actively seeking 500,000 metric tons of green hydrogen per year from various suppliers. This 30,000 metric ton deal with RWE represents a key step toward that goal.
With Germany’s hydrogen backbone taking shape, long-term agreements like this are laying the foundation for scalable hydrogen adoption in industrial sectors.
