Mibrag, the lignite mining company, has set its sights on a green hydrogen transformation, signaling the end of lignite mining in Profen by 2035 at the latest. With ambitious plans and substantial investments, Mibrag aims to become a leading energy service provider powered by renewable energies.
The centerpiece of this remarkable transition is the construction of a 90-megawatt electrolyzer for green hydrogen production at the Profen site in Burgenlandkreis, a project confirmed by the State Chancellery in Magdeburg. Mibrag plans to invest a total of €251 million in this groundbreaking endeavor, with the European “Just Transition Fund” providing essential funding support.
The state has pledged its unwavering commitment to assist and nurture this pioneering project to ensure its success. The decision to cease coal production in Profen by 2035 underlines the region’s resolute shift toward cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.
The key milestone in this transformation is the completion of the 90-megawatt electrolyzer, slated for operation by the end of 2026. Alongside this, comprehensive green power grid infrastructure, a hydrogen storage facility, and state-of-the-art water and wastewater treatment plants will be established. These critical components will support the local utilization of green hydrogen within the energy and chemical park, while also integrating with the Central German hydrogen pipeline network for broader distribution.
Out of the total investment of approximately €251 million, over €218 million will be channeled into Saxony-Anhalt, with just under €33 million allocated to Saxony. This distribution underscores the regional commitment to this groundbreaking energy transition.
Mibrag’s primary service involves supplying lignite to key locations in Central Germany, including power plants in Lippendorf (Saxony) and Schkopau (Saxony-Anhalt), the Chemnitz combined heat and power plant, and various industrial facilities. The lignite is sourced from the Profen and Vereinigte Schleenhain opencast mines in the Central German mining region. Situated in Zeitz, southern Saxony-Anhalt, Mibrag, a vital player in the energy sector, produced approximately 2 million tonnes of lignite in 2022, contributing significantly to Germany’s energy landscape.
