Verbund and EWE announce major hydrogen projects in Germany and Austria

Verbund and EWE have announced details for a major hydrogen joint venture in Wesermarsch, Germany. The project, named ‘CHC Elektrolyse JadeWeser’, aims to build an electrolyzer with a capacity of up to 500 megawatts. Scheduled to begin operations in 2032, the facility is expected to produce approximately 50,000 tons of green hydrogen annually for the industrial, transport, and energy sectors. The site in Nordenham will connect to the 380-kV power grid and the future German hydrogen core network.

Executives noted that a final investment decision depends on potential adjustments to EU production criteria for renewable hydrogen. EWE CEO Stefan Dohler indicated that current regulations could lead to production costs of 8 to 10 euros per kilogram, whereas regulatory easing could lower costs to under 5 euros.

Separately, voestalpine and Verbund are expanding the H2FUTURE research pilot plant in Linz, Austria. Following a 16.4 million euro investment, the facility will expand its capabilities beyond production to include compression, purification, and storage. The expansion includes five hydrogen storage tanks designed to manage fluctuating production levels and supply the HY4SMELT industrial-scale demonstration plant via pipeline starting in late 2027.