RWE intends to construct an ammonia terminal in Brunsbüttel, near Hamburg, for the import of green energy.
Green ammonia is the most cost-effective hydrogen derivative with the highest level of technological maturity, according to RWE. The project’s goal is to make it easier to convert the entire site so that green molecules can be imported. Brunsbüttel can thus serve as a model for industrial society’s decarbonization.
Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE, explains: “It is now more important than ever to think of climate protection and security of supply as one. That’s what we are doing. On the one hand, we are involved in the forthcoming construction of the first LNG terminal in Germany. On the other hand, we are going to build an ammonia terminal at the site to forge ahead with the import of green molecules for the decarbonizsation of industry. This flagship project will cover the entire value chain – from import, to conversion, transport and use by industrial customers. The entire site will benefit from this.”
Around 300,000 tonnes of green ammonia per year are expected to arrive in Germany via the terminal and be distributed to customers starting in 2026. The next step is to construct a large-scale industrial cracker at the terminal in order to produce green hydrogen on-site. A dedicated hydrogen pipeline will then transport this to industrial customers.
A two-million-tonne-per-year increase in ammonia production is also planned as part of this expansion stage. As a result, the terminal is at the start of a green import infrastructure that will lead to environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. The Brunsbüttel site provides ideal logistical conditions for the project due to its direct access to the North Sea and Baltic Sea, as well as its connection to European inland waterways. Brunsbüttel Ports GmbH is assisting the project with space and port infrastructure to unload tankers as a logistics partner.
Green energy demand
The demand for green molecules will skyrocket in the future in order to meet the climate goals. In addition to its own hydrogen production, Germany needs access to green molecules from other parts of the world to meet the demand for decarbonizing industry. The green ammonia terminal is supposed to be a crucial connecting point for all of this.
RWE anticipates investments in the mid-thirties million euro range. Short construction timelines and high safety standards are required to allow for rapid implementation, pragmatic action, swift planning and approval processes. As a result, the green ammonia terminal and transportation infrastructure provide an excellent foundation for preparing the site today for a future in which all energy imports will be green.
