RWE Gas Storage West is assisting in the expansion of Europe’s hydrogen industry through the GET H2 initiative. In this context, by 2026, a new hydrogen section will be built at the Kottiger Hook natural gas subterranean storage facilities.
On the current RWE site, the majority of Germany’s first commercial hydrogen cavern storage plant will be developed.
RWE submitted the mandatory planning notification to the Arnsberg district administration, thus initiating the approval process. A voluntary environmental impact assessment with the participation of authorities, public interest groups, and the general public will be included as part of the general operating planning procedure under German mining law.
“Informing local residents and the public about the planned project in a transparent manner is important to us,” emphasizes Andreas Frohwein, Technical Managing Director of RWE Gas Storage West.
RWE has filed for funding in the hydrogen sector through the IPCEI (Important Projects of Common European Interest) scheme. IPCEI hydrogen aims to accelerate the energy transition and, in particular, decarbonization across Europe by developing industrial-scale green hydrogen technology.
The German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the North Rhine-Westphalia state government have already identified projects that will get national support if the European Commission approves the plan; RWE’s hydrogen storage facility is included on that list.
RWE’s final investment decision is pending confirmation of the funding commitment. RWE has now launched the approval procedure in accordance with its project plan in order to meet the ambitious schedule. A financing decision is likely later this year.
