Hamburger Energiewerke (HEnW) and Luxcara, partners in the Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub (HGHH) project at the former Moorburg coal-fired power plant site, have been awarded substantial state funding exceeding €250 million. This funding, provided jointly by the Federal government and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, underscores the city's commitment to advancing its hydrogen economy.
In parallel, Gasnetz Hamburg, the municipal network operator, has secured funding to construct the initial 40 kilometers of the HH-WIN hydrogen distribution network. This infrastructure initiative is pivotal for Hamburg's hydrogen industry development and aligns with European Union Commission's approval of IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) funding earlier this year.
“Gasnetz Hamburg is poised to drive innovation in energy transformation with the HH-WIN project,” stated Michael Dammann, managing director of Gasnetz Hamburg. “We are grateful for the collaborative support from political and economic stakeholders as we expedite the construction and future operation of Hamburg's hydrogen distribution network by 2027.”
The HGHH consortium, anticipating significant milestones ahead, plans to initiate construction of the 100MW electrolyser as early as 2025, following the procurement of major components this year.
“We recognize the urgent need for energy transition and advocate for a comprehensive approach to achieve it,” emphasized Holger Matthiesen, project director at Luxcara. “The HGHH project will play a pivotal role in bolstering the local hydrogen economy. We appreciate the Federal government's and BMWK's support in realizing this potential and are committed to swift project execution alongside Hamburger Energiewerke.”
The transformation of the former Moorburg power plant site involves dismantling existing coal infrastructure to accommodate the new electrolyser. Essential facilities like water treatment and quayside infrastructure will be retained, while the grid connection will be adapted to integrate renewable energy sources for electrolysis operations.
