British energy major bp will evaluate the feasibility of building a new hydrogen hub in Germany, Kallanish notes.  

The project, which would be located in Wilhelmshaven, is expected to include an industry-leading ammonia cracker which could provide up to 130,000 tonnes/year of low-carbon hydrogen from green ammonia from 2028.

Green ammonia – produced by combining nitrogen with hydrogen derived from the electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources – is expected to be shipped from bp to green hydrogen projects around the world to Wilhelmshaven.

The company’s plans include utilising the existing infrastructure of the Nord-West Oelleitung (NWO) terminal at Wilhelmshaven, where it is a participating shareholder. With its deep-water harbour and pipeline system, Wilhelmshaven is one of the country’s most important energy terminals and is well-positioned to support energy transition activities, bp claims.

Additionally, its plans propose to utilise the current oil & gas pipelines for use in hydrogen transport. According to the company, the low-carbon hydrogen could then be delivered to customers in the Ruhr region and other centres of demand.

“At bp we have the expertise and capacity to cover the entire value chain of green hydrogen production, including conversion into derivates like ammonia, transport, and then reconversion to supply green hydrogen to the customers and places who need it,” says bp Europa SE chief executive Patrick Wendeler. “This development would help create greater energy independence for our German customers, and we hope this hydrogen hub can help carve out its next chapter and help Germany meet its energy transition goals.”

“The development of this import facility complements bp’s global hydrogen project portfolio, as we develop a presence in a number of potential hydrogen and ammonia export locations in the Middle East, Africa, and Australia, which could supply part of the European demand in the coming years,” noted senior vice president hydrogen and CCS at bp Felipe Arbelaez.

The proposed project is the latest in a string of hydrogen proposals in Germany from bp. It follows the H2 Nukleus and Lingen Green Hydrogen concepts.