The recent announcement by Deutsche Regas and Gascade to introduce hydrogen into the German network from the port of Lubmin marks a significant development in Germany’s energy transition.
Deutsche Regas and Gascade aim to transform Lubmin into a central hydrogen hub. Starting in 2026, they plan to feed hydrogen into the German network, leveraging existing infrastructure initially built for natural gas. A key component of this plan involves converting one of three gas pipelines to hydrogen by 2025, as stated by Dennis Wehmeyer, head of hydrogen and sustainability at Gascade. Deutsche Regas plans to import green hydrogen through Lubmin’s industrial port, with a 30,000-ton capacity cracker installed to process imported ammonia into hydrogen.
The shift to hydrogen at Lubmin is facilitated by relocating a mobile LNG landing ship, which has freed up space in the industrial port. Lubmin’s infrastructure, originally constructed for the Nord Stream 1 Baltic Sea pipeline, provides a strategic advantage for injecting both natural gas and hydrogen. This location is expected to serve as a critical entry point for hydrogen from the Baltic Sea region, including imports from Sweden and Finland.
The Lubmin initiative’s projected 30,000 tons of green hydrogen production annually from 2026 is a significant step, but it must be contextualized within larger industry efforts. For instance, the EU’s endorsement of a 10,000-kilometer hydrogen core network, forming the backbone of Germany’s hydrogen infrastructure, underscores the scale of the broader transition. This network aims to link various industrial and energy sectors across Europe, presenting a comprehensive approach to hydrogen integration.
While the production of green hydrogen in Lubmin is notable, the economic viability remains a concern. Stefan Knabe of Deutsche Regas highlighted that producing hydrogen domestically may not be as cost-effective as importing it from regions with more favorable conditions for solar and wind energy. This economic disparity suggests that a significant portion of Germany’s hydrogen needs—up to 70%—will likely be met through imports, raising questions about the sustainability and resilience of such a supply chain.
The Lubmin project aligns with Germany’s broader strategy to transition to environmentally friendly hydrogen. This includes the construction of electrolyzers at the port by multiple companies, aimed at bolstering domestic hydrogen production. The integration of green hydrogen into the German energy mix represents a critical step towards achieving the EU’s climate goals and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
