Salzgitter AG and Uniper SE are aligning forces through a pre-contract for the supply and purchase of green hydrogen.
The hydrogen is planned to be produced in Uniper’s electrolysis plant, due to be commissioned in Wilhelmshaven in 2028. The plant is projected to supply up to 20,000 tons of green hydrogen per year to Salzgitter, subject to the availability of the German H2 core network and a specific pipeline route from Wilhelmshaven.
The green hydrogen will serve the SALCOS® – Salzgitter Low CO2 Steelmaking program. It will be employed in the constructing direct reduction plant, contributing to the production of near CO2-neutral steel.
Uniper is developing a 200 MW electrolysis plant for the production of the hydrogen. The facility is considered the first step towards an external hydrogen supply for the SALCOS® program, which requires up to 150,000 tons of hydrogen per year in its initial stage.
Uniper earmarks Wilhelmshaven as a prime location for its Green Wilhelmshaven projects due to its easy access to renewable energies like offshore wind farms in the North Sea. The area also provides early access to the German hydrogen pipeline system and planned hydrogen storage facilities.