Commerce in Hamburg welcomes hydrogen project in Moorburg

Jens Kerstan, Senator for the Environment and Energy, remarked: “This agreement is a vital step for Hamburg. At the Moorburg site, we will be producing green hydrogen on a large scale in collaboration with experienced partners from industry, while at the same time establishing a 'Green Energy hub' for climate-friendly energy. This is a bold venture that needs to be filled with life now." The existing infrastructure in Moorburg will be assessed for its capacity to produce energy from renewable sources. Concepts for the required logistics chains and storage options for hydrogen will also be considered.  

The project is a "major lever for reaching Hamburg's climate goals", Kerstan said, adding: "Our hydrogen future is now taking shape, and Hamburg intends to be at the forefront here. The senate supports these efforts, and Hamburg’s public companies play a decisive role in this.” Production is expected to start in 2025 pending the final investment decision and site clearance. An initial output of 100 megawatts would make the scalable electrolyser one of the biggest in Europe. 

The partners will submit a draft of the project in Q1 of 2021 as part of their application for funding under the EU's "Important Projects of Common European Interest" (IPCEI) programme. The site is ideal for further use, they believe. Michael Westhagemann, Senator for Economics and Innovation, remarked: "There is no better location in Hamburg for a scalable electrolyser of this size. Via the 380 kV connection and the link to Brunsbüttel, we have direct access to a supply of green electricity from wind power - and thus the possibility of actually producing green hydrogen in relevant quantities." The announcement marks a major step towards the long-term decarbonisation of the port and establishing a competitive hydrogen sector in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region, he added.

The hydrogen project in Moorburg will allow Hamburg to  take a leading role in Europe's hydrogen sector given ideal prerequisites, according to the OECD. The Hamburg Metropolitan Region and the neighbouring north German states already have a great share of renewable energies and are planning the rapid expansion of a green hydrogen sector along the entire value chain making the region an international role model. The economic development organizations of the states of Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein recently joined forces to form the HY-5 green hydrogen initiative. The move acts as a catalyst for new companies internationally and boosts local businesses. As home to Germany's largest seaport and a flourishing ecosystem of business, politics and application-orientated research, Hamburg plays a key role therein.

As part of its national hydrogen strategy, the German government plans to invest around EUR 9 billion in developing the sector over the coming years. Europe's hydrogen sector is predicted to generate 5.4 million jobs and EUR 800 billion in annual sales by 2050.

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