RWE gets go-ahead for 100 MW electrolyzer for offshore wind-to-hydrogen project

German energy company RWE has secured construction and environmental permits to build a 100 MW electrolyzer in Eemshaven, the Netherlands. The electrolyzer is part of system integration solutions associated with OranjeWind, an offshore wind project RWE is jointly developing with TotalEnergies in the Dutch North Sea.

RWE described the permits as an important step in developing 100 MW of green hydrogen production at Eemshaven which, if built, will contribute to the onshore energy system integration plans associated with the 795MW OranjeWind offshore wind project.

To remind, in July this year, TotalEnergies entered into an agreement with RWE to acquire a 50% stake in the OranjeWind and said it would use its share of the electricity from the offshore wind project to power 350 MW electrolyzer projects that will produce about 40,000 tons of green hydrogen annually.

With the necessary permits in place, RWE stated it will be able to develop a 100MW electrolyzer on a plot adjacent to the Magnum Power Station in Eemshaven.

This also increases RWE’s plans for green hydrogen production in the region since the company is also working on the realization of a 50MW electrolyzer at the nearby Eems Power Station.

The realization of the 50 MW Eemshydrogen project and the 100 MW OranjeWind electrolyzer are subject to final investment decisions (FID).

Sopna Sury, COO Hydrogen at RWE Generation SE, said: “Securing the necessary permits brings us a step closer to realising this electrolyser in Eemshaven. This would enable RWE to provide industry with green hydrogen to make their production processes more sustainable. With our plans of this electrolyser at the Eemshaven, RWE continues to contribute to the further growth in the area and helps to establish this cluster as a centre for renewable energy.”