Germany/Norway – Equinor and RWE have decided to collaborate on the development of large-scale value chains for low-carbon hydrogen.
In addition to building a low carbon and renewable hydrogen production facility in Norway that will export hydrogen through a pipeline to Germany, the partners want to replace coal-fired power plants in Germany with gas-fired power plants that are hydrogen-ready.
Building on the collaboration between Norway and Germany and the long-standing connection between Equinor and RWE, the two businesses signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on January 5.
Switching to hydrogen
Building new gas power plants (CCGTs) as part of the collaboration will help Germany reach its coal phase-out goals. The CCGTs, which will be jointly owned by Equinor and RWE, will be powered initially by natural gas before switching progressively to hydrogen when the necessary supplies and technology are ready.
The businesses also want to construct production facilities in Norway for the CCS-based manufacture of low-carbon hydrogen from natural gas. More than 95% of the CO2 will be safely and permanently stored under the seabed off the coast of Norway.
Additionally, hydrogen will be exported through pipeline from Norway to Germany. Future production of renewable hydrogen as fuel for electricity and other industrial clients will be made possible through cooperative offshore wind farm development.
