Uniper receives initial approval for an 890-MW gas power plant that is ready for hydrogen use.

German energy company Uniper SE has obtained initial approval to construct a hydrogen-ready combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant with an expected electrical capacity of up to 890 MW, designed for flexible and dispatchable power generation in Germany.

This initial approval was granted by the Darmstadt Regional Authority for a facility referred to as Unit 8, which will be built at the Staudinger power station site in Grosskrotzenburg.

Through this project, Uniper intends to engage in tenders outlined by Germany’s proposed electricity supply security and capacity law, StromVKG, aimed at providing backup capacity for times when solar and wind energy generation is inadequate.

During the approval process, Uniper and the Darmstadt Regional Authority addressed essential aspects regarding the plant’s feasibility and regulatory compliance to mitigate project risks before the formal permitting phase begins.

Uniper plans to seek a partial permit for subsurface infrastructure in the third quarter of 2026, with a subsequent application for another partial permit for the construction and operation of the plant expected in the second quarter of 2027.

This initiative aligns with the transformation of the Staudinger power station, where outdated conventional components will be decommissioned, and existing infrastructure will be upgraded for new applications. Uniper aims to introduce battery storage solutions and, in the long run, develop data centers.