Uniper is taking significant steps to bolster its hydrogen capabilities, following EU endorsement for two key clean energy projects at the North Sea Port of Wilhelmshaven.
The company’s strategic pivot from natural gas to hydrogen, driven by both necessity and ambition, underscores a broader trend in the energy sector towards decarbonization.
Uniper aims to transform Wilhelmshaven into a central hub for hydrogen, particularly by leveraging its deep-water port for ammonia imports. This strategic move aligns with Uniper’s broader goal of converting its natural gas infrastructure to hydrogen, reflecting a significant shift in its operational focus. The company’s reliance on Russian gas ended in 2022, necessitating a bailout by the German government. This background highlights the urgency behind Uniper’s hydrogen strategy.
Uniper’s partnership with steelmaker Salzgitter is a critical component of its hydrogen plans. The two companies aim to deliver up to 20,000 metric tons of green hydrogen annually to Salzgitter’s plant. This collaboration not only supports decarbonization in steelmaking—a notoriously hard-to-abate sector—but also underscores the interdependency between different industrial players in the hydrogen value chain.
The European Commission’s designation of Uniper’s ammonia terminal and 1GW electrolysis plant as Projects of Common Interest (PCI) is a significant endorsement. This status provides advantages in terms of planning and project speed, crucial for timely implementation. The planned electrolysis plant, which will utilize local renewable energy, is expected to start with a 200MW section commissioned by 2028.
Uniper’s hydrogen storage strategy is ambitious, aiming to offer 600 gigawatt hours (GWh) of capacity by 2030. This involves repurposing existing gas storage caverns and developing new storage sites. Effective storage solutions are vital for the hydrogen economy, addressing the intermittency of renewable energy sources and ensuring a stable supply of green hydrogen.
Uniper’s projects, while ambitious, must be viewed against global benchmarks in the hydrogen sector. For instance, countries like Australia and Saudi Arabia are developing large-scale hydrogen production facilities that dwarf Uniper’s planned 1GW electrolysis plant.
