Austria’s energy landscape is about to witness a transformative shift as one of Europe’s most ambitious green hydrogen initiatives takes shape. OMV has secured substantial funding for what will become the country’s largest green hydrogen facility, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s decarbonization journey. This groundbreaking project represents more than just technological advancement—it’s a bold statement about Austria’s commitment to sustainable energy independence and climate neutrality goals.
European Hydrogen Bank supports Austrian flagship initiative
OMV and Austria Wirtschaftsservice AG have concluded a financing agreement, which guarantees the support for the production of a maximum of EUR 123 million for a green hydrogen project in Bruck an der Leitha, Lower Austria. “This is a strong signal for the future of a sustainable energy supply and Austria as a location,” declared Alfred Stern, Chairman of the Executive Board of OMV, highlighting the positive evaluation and funding recommendation of the European Hydrogen Bank for the project’s relevance within the European energy transition.
The 140 MW plant is set to be commissioned by the end of 2027, making it one of the top five largest green hydrogen producers within Europe. The plant will produce 23,000 tons of green hydrogen every year from renewable energy sources such as wind energy, solar energy, and hydro energy. The plant will create an emission saving of up to 150,000 tons every year by reducing carbon emissions.
It is clear that strategic partnerships play a significant role in moving
In this groundbreaking undertaking, the investment made by OMV is in the form of an outlay in the mid-hundreds of millions of euros. In November 2025, the OMV joined hands with Masdar, one of the world’s prominent clean energy companies, with the objective of forming a joint venture with regard to the financing and construction of the electrolyzer plant, among other operations. This joint venture is expected to be finalized in early 2026.
Implementation requires that various key partners with their respective areas of expertise be involved. Siemens Energy will supply electrolysis technology as well as experience in plant construction, with complete civil construction undertaken by STRABAG. The group of partners involving Siemens Energy is contracted to perform overall planning, procurement, and construction by OMV.
Austria promotes its national hydrogen strategy with infrastructure
The initiative supports Austria’s 2022 Hydrogen Strategy, which aims for climate neutrality in the country by 2040, and hydrogen’s importance is evident in its use for the decarbonization of non-electrifiable industries. By 2030, Austria has committed to reaching an electrolyzer capacity of 1 gigawatt and substituting 80% of fossil hydrogen use with climate-neutral alternatives in the energy-intensive industries.
“By producing hydrogen from renewable energy sources in a local capacity, together with a 22 km pipeline to the OMV refinery right in Schwechat, this specific facility will be a significant contributory factor to OMV’s decarbonization strategy,” as OMV Executive Vice President for Fuels & Chemicals Martijn van Koten observed.
Austria intends to progressively replace natural gas systems with a specific hydrogen infrastructure, and evaluations on new hydrogen infrastructure requirements will be used to support industrial, transportation, and energy storage purposes in various sectors. The hydrogen strategy of the country includes the business of iron, steel, and the chemical industry that uses high-temperature processes, as well as transportation, such as long-haul trucking, aviation, and shipping.
OMV’s green hydrogen project is a landmark contribution to the Austrian energy transformation as it not only reflects a significant financial outlay but is also a testament to innovative technology and collaboration. This project has shown that a significant decarbonization of industry is possible through innovative hydrogen technology and hence has set a precedent for Europe. It is contributing to the Austrian goals of climate neutrality.
