BP has been awarded substantial funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and the Lower Saxony Government to advance a major green hydrogen project in Germany. This grant, part of the European Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) Hy2Infra wave, will support the development of a 100MW green hydrogen production facility adjacent to BP’s Lingen Refinery.
The official grant letter was presented by German Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck at a ceremony held at the BMWK in Berlin. In his remarks, Habeck emphasized the significance of such funding in addressing the energy transition challenges and advancing a climate-neutral economy. “The energy transition remains one of the greatest challenges facing our country, even amid ongoing crises and conflicts. By funding hydrogen projects, we are making crucial strides towards a sustainable economy in Europe and beyond. This initiative will facilitate the construction of electrolysers in the three-digit megawatt class, crucial for enhancing domestic green hydrogen production. Hydrogen infrastructure will be vital for decarbonizing industry and energy sectors, with hydrogen pipelines becoming the lifelines of industrial centers, fostering climate-neutral growth,” Habeck stated.
Olaf Lies, Lower Saxony’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Transport, Building, and Digitization, underscored the importance of this project for the region’s energy transition. “The development of a hydrogen economy is a critical element for Germany’s and Europe’s energy transition. We aim to establish Lower Saxony as a central hub in this hydrogen economy, creating future-proof jobs. BP’s green hydrogen project in Lingen represents a significant milestone in this endeavor,” Lies noted.
Patrick Wendeler, Head of Country at BP Germany, highlighted the historical significance of the Lingen refinery and the challenge of decarbonizing German industry. “Our Lingen refinery has been a key energy supplier for German industry for over 70 years. The decarbonization of industry is a major challenge, and we appreciate the German government’s support in this effort. With this funding, we advance towards a crucial green hydrogen project that will enable us to offer low-carbon hydrogen to both industrial customers and our Lingen refinery,” Wendeler said.
The green hydrogen project aims to install a 100MW electrolyser, expected to produce an average of 10-11 kilotons of green hydrogen per year. Initially, renewable energy for the electrolyser will be sourced from an offshore wind Power Purchase Agreement.
Felipe Arbelaez, Senior Vice President of Hydrogen and Carbon Capture & Storage at BP, highlighted the role of government support in the hydrogen sector. “Hydrogen is an emerging market with the potential to significantly contribute to energy transition and industrial decarbonization. Government backing is crucial to unlocking this potential, and we are proud to advance this project within the European IPCEI program,” Arbelaez said.
The green hydrogen produced from this project is poised to support regional industries, including steel and chemical producers, in their efforts to decarbonize production processes. This initiative aligns with BP’s broader strategy of advancing low-carbon solutions and reaffirming its commitment to Germany’s energy transition goals.
