Hamburg marks a pivotal moment in Germany’s energy transition as construction officially begins on a groundbreaking green hydrogen facility. The 100-megawatt electrolyzer project transforms the site of the decommissioned Moorburg coal power plant into a beacon of sustainable energy production. This ambitious undertaking represents more than infrastructure development—it symbolizes Germany’s commitment to replacing fossil fuel dependency with clean, renewable alternatives that will power future industrial processes.
Foundation stone laying marks Hamburg’s hydrogen transition
The First Mayor of Hamburg, Dr. Peter Tschentscher, marked a crucial milestone for the decarbonization of Hamburg on the occasion of laying the foundation stone for the Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub. This ceremony brings along all stakeholders who are involved in this project, such as Environment Senator Katharina Fegebank, Economics Senator Dr. Melanie Leonhard, and Luxcara and Hamburger Energiewerke. The importance of this ceremony has been described by incorporating a time capsule in the foundation stone.
The preparations for the construction activity have been quite intensive, and the demolition process, which involves the old coking power plant has began in October 2023, to make room for the construction of the new power plant. The construction team has also participated in some intensive groundwork activities, including the erection of 906 vibro-compaction columns made up of gravel on the 16,000 square meter site area to improve the subsoil conditions of the electrolyzer building construction. The floor slab is also concreted, with work on structural construction having started.
Siemens Energy has world-class technology in electrolyzers
The technology used in the project is the latest proton exchange membrane technology developed by Siemens Energy, which was contracted in September 2024. The technology can be considered modern because it entails the separation of water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen gas using electricity in a membrane cell, making it suitable for the use of renewable energy sources.
Operating commercially by 2027 with very aggressive production plans
The Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub is estimated to begin commercial operation in the second half of 2027, with an annual production of approximately 10,000 tons of green hydrogen. The new project will harness wind energy from the northern part of Germany because of its location as a renewable energy hub that has easy access to natural resources. The green hydrogen created at the new project site will be applied in various industries that require decarbonization and include steel production and chemical processes that cannot be easily electrified.
However, despite this progress and the billions of euros of subsidies that have flowed into the German economy, several challenges exist in the development of a working hydrogen market in Germany. Budgetary auditors in the federal budget have asked the government to reassess their vision for the hydrogen economy, claiming that “permanent state subsidies threaten to put further pressure on federal finances, which are already in disarray.” The hydrogen economy still has the chicken-and-egg problem of demand and supply.
Strategic positioning: Hamburg – the hydrogen gateway of Europe
The Moorburg site represents an optimal location for hydrogen production with exemplary connectivity to wind energy resources and the supra-regional hydrogen infrastructure network. The former coal-fired power plant was acquired by Hamburger Energiewerke from Vattenfall in 2023, transforming a symbol of fossil fuel-based dependency into a basis of sustainable energy infrastructure.
The Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub is a crucial step in the realization of the climate neutrality vision for Hamburg and the establishment of the hydrogen economy in Europe. The transition from coal to clean energy draws a clear vision of how planning between the public and private sectors can facilitate the energy transition, which becomes a reality as a result of climate change impacting contemporary and future societies.
