Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure Works Commencing in Germany

A collaboration between RWE and Westfalen Group will develop hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in Germany for heavy commercial vehicles.

By 2030, up to 70 hydrogen fuel stations will be in place, depending on the development of the market.

Initially focussing on the regions of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, the first few locations will be installed close to logistics centres to ensure an economic efficiency of its operations, before more locations are introduced along the nation’s autobahns.

The first hydrogen-refuelling station will be constructed outside RWE’s Emsland gas-fired power station in Lingen, where the green hydrogen required will be produced by a 14MW pilot electrolyser currently under construction on site.

From 2024, it will be open to the public and enable drivers to refuel their goods vehicles, buses, refuse vehicles, small trucks, and passenger vehicles to refuel there.

Construction of the refuelling station is being funded by a €6 million grant from the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport as part of the National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell technology Innovation Programme.

COO of Hydrogen RWE Generation Sopna Sury said: “Hydrogen can play a crucial part in significantly reducing carbon emissions in heavy goods transportation. The collaborative arrangement with the Westfalen Group is therefore ground-breaking.

“RWE will supply the green hydrogen from its electrolyser infrastructure in Lingen, and the Westfalen Group will take care of setting up and operating the fuel station infrastructure.

“Working together in this way will be our contribution towards getting hydrogen-powered transportation swiftly onto the roads.”