Thyssenkrupp to connect Duisburg steel plant to H2 network by 2028

Thyssenkrupp Steel will connect its steel plant in Duisburg to the planned German hydrogen network by 2028 under a deal with transmission system operators Nowega GmbH, Open Grid Europe GmbH (OGE) and Thyssengas GmbH.

The three companies have signed a realisation agreement for the connection with Thyssenkrupp Steel which is planning to convert steel production in Duisburg to green hydrogen.

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The pipelines will connect the Duisburg-Walsum site to the GET H2 network and enable hydrogen imports from the Netherlands via the Vlieghuis border crossing point.

Under the plan, a new 40-kilometre (24.85 miles) pipeline from Dorsten to Duisburg-Walsum will extend the GET H2 pipeline from Lingen, linking it to the steel plant. Additionally, to establish the import route, current pipelines between Vlieghuis in the Netherlands and Kalle in Grafschaft Bentheim, Lower Saxony, and continuing to Ochtrup, will be converted to transport hydrogen and integrated into the GET H2 pipeline system. All pipeline segments are expected to be operational by 2027, with Thyssenkrupp Steel slated for connection in 2028.

The recently signed contract governs the conversion and construction of hydrogen pipelines, outlining the rights and obligations of the parties involved until operations commence.

Thyssenkrupp's project for the decarbonisation of the Duisburg steel plant includes the installation of a hydrogen-capable direct reduction (DR) plant and two melting units. It will be supported with EUR 2 billion (USD 2.18bn) of state aid which has already received the green light from the European Commission (EC).