German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Siemens Energy CEO Christian Bruch, and Air Liquide CEO Francois Jackow officially launched the electrolyser gigafactory in Berlin, marking a significant step toward mass-producing electrolysers. The inauguration ceremony included the start button activation for series production, attended by notable guests, including German Economics Minister Robert Habeck and French Industry Minister Roland Lescure.
Siemens Energy aims to position electrolysers as a mass-produced commodity with the newly established factory in Berlin, setting the groundwork for the broader expansion of the hydrogen economy. The facility boasts an annual production capacity of 1GW, with plans to scale up to at least 3GW by 2025, with potential for further expansion.
The 3GW installed electrolysis capacity is projected to yield an annual production of 300,000 metric tons of green hydrogen. Siemens Energy CEO Christian Bruch emphasized the pivotal role of green molecules in the energy transition, stating, “There is no energy transition without green molecules.” The gigawatt-scale production of electrolysers represents a crucial step in the commercialization of this technology.
Utilizing the existing infrastructure and workforce at the Siemens Energy site in Berlin, the new factory, established at a cost of approximately €30 million, focuses on proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology for the electrolyser stacks—the core components. The factory is strategically positioned to supply stacks to a diverse customer base in the rapidly growing hydrogen market.
Siemens Energy's commitment to cost-effectiveness involves carrying out the assembly of electrolyser hardware closer to project sites. The company anticipates this approach will contribute to the overall efficiency of the solution.
Siemens Energy's gigafactory in Berlin is set to play a crucial role in supplying electrolysers for various large-scale hydrogen projects, including the Air Liquide Normand'Hy 200MW electrolyser project in Port-Jérôme, France. Additionally, Siemens Energy is involved in supplying electrolyser projects in Kassø (Denmark) and FlagshipONE (Sweden), contributing to the synthesis of e-fuels for shipping.
