Air Liquide, a leading industrial gas company, has inaugurated a 20MW PEM electrolyser plant in Oberhausen, Germany. The plant is claimed to be the largest green hydrogen production facility in the country. It will supply industrial and mobility customers through Air Liquide’s existing hydrogen pipeline network.
Key Features of the Oberhausen Green Hydrogen Plant
- Capacity to produce up to 2,900 tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually
- Utilizes electrolyser stacks manufactured by Air Liquide’s joint venture with Siemens Energy
- Connected to Air Liquide’s existing hydrogen pipeline infrastructure
- Will supply customers in the chemical, steel, and mobility industries
Remarks from North Rhine-Westphalia’s Prime Minister
Hendrik Wüst, Prime Minister of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, attended the inauguration ceremony at the Oberhausen site. He emphasized the importance of hydrogen in achieving a climate-neutral future, particularly for energy-intensive industries such as steel and chemistry in the region. Wüst described the commissioning of the electrolyser as a milestone for climate protection and a crucial step towards making North Rhine-Westphalia the first climate-neutral industrial region in Europe.
Air Liquide’s Commitment to Decarbonization
Gilles Le Van, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Air Liquide Germany, spoke about the project’s significance. He stated that it demonstrates the potential for progress when authorities and companies work together towards a common goal. Le Van added that the plant’s integration into an existing hydrogen infrastructure would accelerate the decarbonization of key industries. It would also promote low-carbon mobility in the densely populated region of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Renewable Energy Supply
In 2022, Statkraft announced a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to supply Air Liquide with wind power for the Oberhausen site. This agreement ensures that the hydrogen produced at the facility is certified as renewable. It also ensures that the hydrogen is fully compliant with the Renewable Energy Directive II (REDII).
The inauguration of Air Liquide’s green hydrogen plant in Oberhausen is a significant step towards decarbonizing industries and promoting sustainable mobility. With its substantial production capacity and integration into the existing hydrogen pipeline network, the facility will play a crucial role. It will contribute to the region’s transition to a climate-neutral future.
Read more: Air Liquide Invests $850M in ExxonMobil’s Texas Low-Carbon Hydrogen Project
