Dec 3, 2025
Construction begins on a green hydrogen project in Hamburg at the location of a former coal plant.
The construction of a 100-megawatt (MW) electrolyser project for green hydrogen has commenced at a former coal plant site in Hamburg, which was shut down in 2021. Hamburger Energiewerke (HEnW), a partner in the project, stated that the groundbreaking signifies the potential for advancing innovative green hydrogen initiatives through community involvement.
Hamburg's mayor, Peter Tschentscher from the Social Democrats (SPD), highlighted the city's favorable conditions for developing a hydrogen economy, thanks to its wind energy resources, connection to a broader hydrogen network, and innovative industrial partners. HEnW acquired the closed coal facility from Vattenfall in 2023.
The Moorburg facility is expected to be among Germany's first large-scale green hydrogen plants, addressing challenges in creating a viable market for sustainable fuel. Upon completion in 2027, it aims to generate 10,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually using regional wind energy. This eco-friendly fuel will be applicable in sectors that are challenging to electrify, such as low-carbon chemical production and steel manufacturing.
Despite advancements at Moorburg and substantial financial backing, Germany struggles to achieve its hydrogen objectives, with lowered forecasts for both demand and supply of green hydrogen. The hydrogen sector grapples with a supply-demand dilemma, given the high costs and limited production scale. In October 2025, federal budget auditors urged the national government to reassess its hydrogen plans, warning that “ongoing state subsidies could exacerbate the existing financial turmoil.”
Hamburg's mayor, Peter Tschentscher from the Social Democrats (SPD), highlighted the city's favorable conditions for developing a hydrogen economy, thanks to its wind energy resources, connection to a broader hydrogen network, and innovative industrial partners. HEnW acquired the closed coal facility from Vattenfall in 2023.
The Moorburg facility is expected to be among Germany's first large-scale green hydrogen plants, addressing challenges in creating a viable market for sustainable fuel. Upon completion in 2027, it aims to generate 10,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually using regional wind energy. This eco-friendly fuel will be applicable in sectors that are challenging to electrify, such as low-carbon chemical production and steel manufacturing.
Despite advancements at Moorburg and substantial financial backing, Germany struggles to achieve its hydrogen objectives, with lowered forecasts for both demand and supply of green hydrogen. The hydrogen sector grapples with a supply-demand dilemma, given the high costs and limited production scale. In October 2025, federal budget auditors urged the national government to reassess its hydrogen plans, warning that “ongoing state subsidies could exacerbate the existing financial turmoil.”