Linde will build, own and operate the world’s largest PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolyzer plant (24 MW) at the Leuna Chemical Complex in Germany. The electrolyzer will produce green hydrogen to supply Linde’s industrial customers through the company’s existing pipeline network. In addition, Linde will distribute liquefied green hydrogen to refueling stations and other industrial customers in the region. The total green hydrogen being produced can fuel approximately six hundred fuel cell buses driving 40 million kilometers and saving up to 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide tailpipe emissions per year.
The electrolyzer will be built by ITM Linde Electrolysis GmbH, a joint venture between Linde and ITM Power, using high-efficiency PEM technology. The plant is due to start production in the second half of 2022.
“Clean hydrogen is a cornerstone of the German and EU strategies to address the challenge of climate change. It is part of the solution to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions across many industries, including chemicals and refining,” said Jens Waldeck, President Region Europe West, Linde. “This project shows that electrolyzer capacity continues to scale up and it is a stepping stone towards even larger plants.” Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power, said: “This is the first sale via our joint venture with Linde and is currently the world’s largest announced PEM electrolyser. This is a significant addition to our sales pipeline and illustrates how the capacity and efficiency of our new factory allows us to tender for much larger scale projects. It demonstrates the growing commitment by industry to use green hydrogen produced by electrolysis to decarbonise production processes. We look forward to working closely with Linde to deliver this exciting project.”
