RWE, partner to build 70 hydrogen fuel stations in Germany

Energy group RWE AG (ETR:RWE) and fuel retailer Westfalen Group are planning to build a network of 70 hydrogen refuelling stations for heavy commercial vehicles across Germany by 2030.

The hydrogen infrastructure will be developed by a joint venture between the two companies that is to be established by the end of this year, RWE said on Wednesday.

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The Essen-based power major will supply the green hydrogen from its production site in Lingen while Westfalen will be responsible for building and operating the fuel stations.

Initially, the partnership will focus on North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, with plans for expansion in coordination with logistics firms in these regions. The first locations selected will be near logistics centres and more will be established later along autobahns.

As part of the joint venture, the first public hydrogen fuel station will be situated adjacent to RWE's Emsland gas-fired power station in Lingen, Lower Saxony. This station, operated by Westfalen, will be commissioned in 2024 and will serve as a refuelling point for various vehicles such as goods vehicles, buses, refuse vehicles, small trucks, and passenger vehicles, enabling them to utilise green hydrogen. Moreover, the facility will feature a trailer filling station, facilitating the transportation of green hydrogen to other customers in the region.

Initially, the green hydrogen for the fuel station in Lingen will be produced through a 14-MW pilot electrolyser, which is currently under construction at the site of the gas-fired power station.

The project in Lingen is backed with EUR 6 million (USD 6.57m) from the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport.

(EUR 1 = USD 1.095)