Energy Transformation Hub Northwest

Combining sustainability and security of supply to ensure the energy supply of the future at the Energy Transformation Hub Northwest (ETHNw).

Uniper is concentrating its major projects in northern Germany at ETHNw. The company is aiming to build a comprehensive hydrogen infrastructure that includes the import, the production, transport, storage and utilisation of green hydrogen. By the early 2030s, capacities are to be created here that will enable the production of up to 1 million tonnes of green hydrogen per year.

The Energy Transformation Hub Northwest represents a significant step towards a low-carbon economy. In addition to hydrogen production, renewable energies such as wind and solar energy are also to be further expanded.

The unique feature of ETHNw is the implementation of a resilient renewable energy and hydrogen value chain by combining production, storage, and transport in northern Germany from a single source.

LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven

In 2022, Uniper did some pioneering work to make Germany more independent and secure its energy supply. With the construction of the superstructure for Germany's first LNG terminal, combined with the construction of a new jetty and the laying of a new 263 km natural gas pipeline, a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) was able to commence operations in Wilhelmshaven. Uniper built the terminal in a very short time together with its partners Niedersachsen Ports (NPorts) and Open Grid Europe (OGE).

Since 2023, Uniper subsidiary LNG-Terminal Wilhelmshaven GmbH (LTeW) has been operating the terminal on behalf of the federally owned company Deutsche Energy Terminal GmbH (DET), which acts as the operator. Uniper has thus made an important contribution to greater independence from individual energy sources and a sustainable energy future in northern Germany.

Learn more about the LNG Terminal in Wilhelmshaven

Off to new horizons

Green Wilhelmshaven

Today, the German port of Wilhelmshaven is an important centre for the import of coal and oil. Its potential for green energy carriers has yet to be realized. A large-scale electrolysis plant and a hydrogen import terminal will establish an energy hub for the large-scale import and production of green hydrogen. With "Green Wilhelmshaven", we will help ensure the security of supply of Hydrogen products in Germany and large parts of continental Europe. Furthermore, these large-scale projects will also ensure value-adding in the region both my creating new jobs in the area and by driving the energy transition in Germany – and Europe – forward.

Uniper plans to build and operate a large-scale industrial electrolysis plant on the site of the former coal-fired power station. In its final expansion stage, this plant will have an output of one gigawatt, which will enable the annual production of around 100,000 tonnes of hydrogen. The electrolysis will be powered exclusively by renewable energy, utilising Wilhelmshaven's good connection to the offshore wind farms in the German North Sea. The green hydrogen produced in Wilhelmshaven will be available to customers throughout Germany in future. The development of hydrogen logistics, including the connection of Wilhelmshaven to the German H2 network and access to H2 storage facilities, is crucial for this.

Hydrogen import terminal

Low-carbon hydrogen in the form of ammonia can be delivered via the hydrogen import terminal (HITW) in Wilhelmshaven using large tankers. The focus is on ‘cracking’ the delivered ammonia, in which it is split into hydrogen and nitrogen. Thanks to the connection to the planned hydrogen core network, the hydrogen can be fed in directly, transported to the regions where it is needed or temporarily stored in caverns.

The project is currently in the preparatory phase, in which the design principles and engineering basis are being created. Questions regarding commercial development and authorisation procedures are also being clarified in this phase.

Read current press release here

Using wind power to produce green hydrogen

CHESS

Uniper is planning to build a 30 MW electrolysis plant at the Elsfleth-Huntorf site that will supply green hydrogen. The water supply has already been secured and the authorisation for the plant is currently being prepared. This project serves as a blueprint for a cost-effective plant concept for further Uniper hydrogen projects and represents a pioneering project to enable the transformation at the Elsfleth-Huntorf site.

Solar park Voslapper Groden

A photovoltaic plant with a capacity of around 17 MWp is to be built on the site of the former ash landfill of the decommissioned Uniper coal-fired power plant in Wilhelmshaven. The solar park will cover an area of around 14 hectares and comprise around 30,000 solar modules. This plant will generate around 17,000 MWh of renewable electricity per year and can thus supply up to 4,500 households.

Krummhörn

The HPC Krummhörn project aims to test the construction and operation of a 100% hydrogen storage facility under real conditions. During the test operation, Uniper is testing equipment, materials and materials for H2 compatibility and gathering experience regarding the technology and operation of hydrogen storage. We are using our salt cavern storage facility in Krummhörn in northern Germany, which has not been in commercial use since 2017, for this purpose. The demonstration plant is scheduled to go into operation in 2025.

Read the press release here

Luftspeicher-Gasturbinenkraftwerk Huntorf

Compressed air energy storage plant Huntorf

The fully automated Huntorf compressed air energy storage (CAES) plant is operated by Uniper Kraftwerke GmbH and requested by Uniper Global Commodities. The Huntorf CAES power plant is the world's first plant of its kind to have been commissioned.

In times of low electricity demand, the plant pumps air into two salt caverns. If electricity is required in return, the compressed air stored underground is burned together with natural gas in the gas turbine to generate electricity – and this happens within a very short start-up time: the turbine can reach its full capacity of 321 MW within twelve minutes. The Huntorf peak-load power plant is able to run various operating modes and provide grid services.

The power plant is the "pumped storage of the north" and, thanks to its mode of operation, makes it possible to store surplus energy from the grid and release it again in the shortest possible time when needed.

Audorf and Itzehoe gas turbine power plants

The fully automated gas turbine power plants in Audorf and Itzehoe in Schleswig-Holstein are operated by Uniper Kraftwerke GmbH and requested by Uniper Global Commodities.

The plants were put into operation in the 1970s and can be operated flexibly under different partial loads. From a cold state, the power plants reach full load with 87 MW each in about three minutes. The plants are therefore mainly used as fast-start units during load peaks or in the event of a short-term outage of another power plant. The gas turbines are capable of operating in different modes and providing grid services.

Acquiring the know-how for the jobs of the future

Training center

One of the basic prerequisites for successfully shaping the energy transition is well-trained specialist personnel. At our training center at the Wilhelmshaven site, we promote the training and upskilling of specialists in hydrogen-related occupational fields. Together with partner companies, we also offer internships at universities or training courses, for example in the field of pneumatic control technology.

Discover the training center at Wilhelmshaven