Germany – RWE Gas Storage West plans to build a new hydrogen section at the natural gas cavern storage facilities at Kottiger Hook by 2026 as part of the GET H2 initiative.
The existing RWE site will house the majority of Germany’s first commercial hydrogen cavern storage facility. RWE formally began the approval process by submitting the required planning notice to the Arnsberg district government. A voluntary environmental impact assessment with the participation of authorities, public interest groups, and the general public will be part of the general operating planning procedure under German mining law.
Developing green hydrogen
RWE has applied for funding in the hydrogen sector under the IPCEI (Important Projects of Common European Interest) scheme. IPCEI hydrogen aims to accelerate the energy transition and, in particular, decarbonization across Europe by developing industrial-scale green hydrogen technologies.
If the initiative is approved at the European level, the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action, as well as the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia, have already chosen projects that will receive national funding. RWE is holding off on making a final investment decision until a funding commitment has been confirmed. RWE has started the approval process in accordance with its project plan in order to meet the ambitious schedule. A funding decision is expected later this year.
