Denmark plans major hydrogen development

Plans for a brand-new Power-to-X plant in Esbjerg, Denmark, that will convert green electricity into hydrogen have been revealed, and it is expected to be Europe’s largest of its kind.

The project, which will be developed by H2 Energy Europe, aims to begin producing green hydrogen on a small scale by the end of 2022 in order to power fuel cell trucks on Danish roads as soon as possible.

It is hoped that the entire 1GW facility would be operating by the end of 2024.

H2 Energy now produces green hydrogen and operates nearly 50 hydrogen trucks, with another 1,600 hydrogen trucks on the way in the next years.

On the development, Clifford zur Nieden, Director of H2 Energy Europe, said, “We plan to produce tomorrow’s fuel. It is our goal to establish the cost-effective production and distribution of climate-friendly hydrogen that is CO2-free and produced exclusively with renewable energy.

“We see green hydrogen as the key to a meaningful and efficient transition from fossil fuels to emission-free fuel cell electromobility.”

Nieden continued, “Over time adopting hydrogen trucks will help Denmark to meet its climate targets.

“We have a two-part plan which includes an immediate focus on producing green hydrogen on a small scale by the end of 2022 so that the first hydrogen-fuelled trucks can be in operation on the Danish roads, followed by the potential for mass implementation by 2024 when the intended 1GW plant could be fully operational.”

State Secretary for Trade and Global Sustainability under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Steen Hommel, has also welcomed news of the planned development. “Denmark’s green political ambitions, a stable political climate and a well-functioning public administration mean that we are an attractive country for sustainable energy investments,” he said.

“It is a great pleasure to see that our close collaboration with H2 Energy Europe and Esbjerg Municipality has resulted in plans to establish a large Power-to-X project in Esbjerg. Invest in Denmark is working hard to attract foreign investment in Power-to-X projects in Denmark for the benefit of Danish growth and job creation.”