Fig. 1. // Bild 1. HydroHub Fenne. Source/Quelle: Iqony
HydroHub Fenne (Figure 1), an electrolysis project for the production of green, i. e. climate-neutral, hydrogen in Völklingen-Fenne in Saarland/Germany has been classified by the EU as an “Important Project of Common European Interest” (IPCEI). This decision means that the EU approval required under German state aid law has now been granted so that the project can be funded by the German federal government and the state government of Saarland.
The HydroHub Fenne project has reached an important milestone with the exemption from restrictions under state aid law: “The decision to classify the HydroHub Fenne as an IPCEI is good news for the project, for regional industry and for Saarland as a whole,” says Andreas Reichel, Chairman of the Management Boards of STEAG GmbH and Iqony GmbH, both located in Essen/Germany. This is because the green hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources in Völklingen in future will make an important contribution to the decarbonization of industry and the mobility sector in the region.
As the EU’s decision has now been made much later than originally envisaged by the EU itself, Iqony is now endeavoring to implement the next steps in the project process even more rapidly: “The national funding application for the project was already submitted in anticipation of the IPCEI decision, which has now also been formally made. At the same time, we have applied for an early start of work in order to complete the actual implementation quickly,” explains Anke Langner, spokesperson for the management of Saarbrücken-based Iqony Energies GmbH, which is responsible for the project within the Group.
Since the final decision by the national funding bodies is still outstanding, it is not yet possible to provide any information on the final funding amount. The total investment for the project is around 150 M€.
With the IPCEI notification and the associated further firming up of the project, the ongoing expression of interest procedure for potential customers of the green hydrogen to be produced in Völklingen is becoming even more important.
“Industrial and commercial companies and mobility service providers, who might wish to purchase hydrogen from us in the future should let us know if they are interested in being supplied. This is very easy to do via our website and, ideally, the expression of interest should also include an approximate estimate of the expected demand,” as the two project managers Patrick Staudt and Dominik Waller explain.
The city of Völklingen and the Saarland state government as a proportionate funding provider also welcome the EU’s IPCEI decision: “The IPCEI notification is an important step on the way to realizing a pioneering investment in Saarland as an industrial and business location. The development of a hydrogen economy, to which the project in Fenne will make an important contribution, will ensure reliable framework conditions, particularly for industry. This will secure skilled jobs and social prosperity for the people of Saarland in the long term. The Saarland state government, together with the federal German government, stands ready to provide substantial support in this area,” explains Jürgen Barke, Saarland’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digital and Energy.
Christiane Blatt, Mayor of the City of Völklingen, comments as follows: “Völklingen has a long and successful history as a business location. The hydrogen produced here in Fenne in the future will help to successfully shape the structural change in the economy leading to climate-neutral production – and thus open up secure future prospects for the local economy.”
Iqony plans to commission the HydroHub Fenne in 2027, when the plant will produce up to 8,200 t of green, climate-neutral hydrogen each year. (Iqony/Si.)
