German energy company Uniper and Danish offshore wind developer Orsted have agreed to work together on large-scale projects integrating offshore wind with green hydrogen production.

The initial focus will be on Uniper’s green hydrogen hub at the northern German port of Wilhelmshaven. Plans for the project include a 70MW electrolyser to be installed by 2025, with an expansion to 410MW by 2030. Power for the electrolysers could come from offshore wind capacity developed by Orsted under a memorandum of understanding signed by the two companies.

The Wilhelmshaven site is especially suitable for the integration of offshore wind because it is near the coast and already has electricity substations in place. The direct conversion of renewable electricity into green hydrogen means any power grid bottlenecks can be avoided, Uniper says.

“Through the strategic partnership with Orsted, we have exactly the right setup to combine economic and ecological goals directly on site in Wilhelmshaven,” says Axel Wietfeld, CEO of Uniper Hydrogen.

70MW – Planned electrolyser capacity at Wilhelmshaven in 2025

“By integrating offshore wind and hydrogen, we can significantly support industries such as the chemical, steel or transport sectors in their decarbonisation.”

Germany as an industrial location needs much more green electricity than previously planned, according to Joerg Kubitza, managing director of Orsted in  Germany.

“I am very pleased that, in Uniper, we have a partner at our side who will continue to push and promote the generation of renewable offshore wind power with us in order to be able to achieve Germany's climate targets,” he says.

Dutch grid operator TenneT has signalled its support for future projects developed by Uniper and Orsted. Integrated planning of electricity and hydrogen will become the key factor in a successful energy transition, according to TenneT chief operating officer Tim Meyerjuergens.

“Electrolysis must take place where renewables are generated and available in sufficient quantities, namely primarily on the coasts,” he says.

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Author: Stuart Penson