Orsted and Uniper, a German energy provider, have signed a MoU to jointly develop large-scale offshore wind with hydrogen. This will be accomplished in part by direct integration of hydrogen generation from offshore wind power at the German port of Wilhelmshaven. An electrolysis plant with a capacity of 70MW is anticipated to be installed in 2025, with the capacity being increased to 410MW by 2030.
The electrolysis will be powered by renewable electricity generated by Orsted offshore wind turbines. TenneT, a transmission system operator, will also work with the two to help them carry offshore wind energy from the sea to the land. Uniper and Orsted are also looking into carbon dioxide-free alternatives for power grid stabilisation, as well as green solutions for industrial customers who require a high level of supply security. Uniper began work on the Wilhelmshaven green hydrogen project in 2020.
In September 2021, Germany’s power network agency had announced 958 MW of offshore wind capacity at zero subsidy for commissioning in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea in Bundesnetzagentur, Germany. The winner of the three projects were EDF and RWE Renewables. EDF secured a project to build a wind park with a capacity of 433 MW in the North sea, while RWE Renewables Offshore Development Two was awarded a tender for 225 MW in the North Sea and RWE Renewables Offshore Development One was awarded 300 MW capacity in the Baltic Sea.
