Siemens Energy has been awarded a significant contract by German utility EWE to supply a 280-megawatt electrolysis system for a green hydrogen production plant in Emden, Germany. Scheduled to begin operations in 2027, the plant will produce up to 26,000 tons of green hydrogen annually, serving various industrial applications in the region. This green hydrogen could replace fossil fuels in sectors like the steel industry, potentially reducing carbon emissions by around 800,000 tons of CO2 per year.
The electrolysis system is a key component of EWE’s large-scale “Clean Hydrogen Coastline” project, which comprises four sub-projects. The system will power the core hydrogen production plant in Emden, consuming an average of 320 megawatts of power throughout its lifetime, alongside other essential components like compressors and cooling systems. As part of the deal, Siemens Energy and EWE have agreed to a ten-year service contract to ensure long-term operational efficiency.
The project has been recognized as a strategic initiative by both the German government and the European Commission, receiving funding under the IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) framework. The official funding decision was handed over to EWE last week by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection. Following the contract signing, EWE and Siemens Energy immediately commenced the project’s implementation.
“This project is a crucial step in scaling up the green hydrogen industry in Germany,” said Anne-Laure de Chammard, Member of the Executive Board of Siemens Energy. “With the necessary funding commitments now in place, the German government has cleared the way for large-scale, strategically important projects like this. The swift conclusion of the contract with EWE shows that the industry is ready to move forward.”
Stefan Dohler, CEO of EWE, emphasized the company’s comprehensive involvement in hydrogen projects: “EWE is active across the entire hydrogen value chain, from production to transportation and storage. Our collaboration with Siemens Energy and our location choice in northwest Germany highlights our focus on regional and national value creation. After a thorough twelve-month evaluation of ten electrolysis manufacturers globally, we are pleased to continue working with Siemens Energy, a long-standing partner in our energy infrastructure.”
The Siemens Energy electrolyzer will utilize PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) technology, which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity. This technology is ideal for integration with renewable energy sources due to its rapid ramp-up times. The core components of the electrolyzer, known as stacks, will be manufactured at Siemens Energy’s new gigawatt factory in Berlin, reinforcing the project’s contribution to both regional and national economic growth.
