Nel and HH2E team up on hydrogen in Germany

Business Developments & Projects

January 6, 2023, by Aida Čučuk

Nel Hydrogen Electrolyser, a subsidiary of Norway’s Nel ASA, has partnered up with German HH2E for a Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) study and a Letter of Intent (LoI) for two 60 MW electrolyser plants in Germany.

The two parties said the FEED will commence after a firm purchase order is made, and they intend to conclude a contract for electrolyser equipment within the first half of 2023.

“These projects are important for the energy transition in Germany and Europe, and we are excited to support HH2E in their efforts to create a greener society,” said Håkon Volldal, CEO of Nel.

Alexander Voigt, co-founder and board member of HH2E, said: “One of the prerequisites for reaching our growth ambitions is the sufficient availability of high-quality electrolysers in Europe, such as those that Nel will supply. We are very happy and confident with Nel’s technology and experience.”

HH2E’s two 60 MW plants are expected to be among the largest green hydrogen production plants in Europe announced to date. Both of them are in the first phase and can be significantly expanded.

According to HH2E, the hydrogen from the plants will be used for industrial applications, transportation, and heat.

HH2E said it is aiming for 4 GW of electrolyser capacity in Germany by 2030.

The signing of the FEED study and LoI coincided with the visit of Germany’s Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, Norway’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Lien Aasland, and Minister of Industry and Trade Jan Christian Vestre to Nel’s factory in Herøya, Norway, where the electrolyser equipment for this project will be produced.

“This shows the importance of the German market for Nel, and we are honoured that Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, together with members of the Norwegian Government, want to visit our flagship facility today,” said Volldal.

The partnership follows another Nel project in the US.

In October 2022, Australian energy company Woodside awarded a contract to Nel for the alkaline electrolyser equipment for the H2OK project, a liquid hydrogen production facility proposed for the Westport Industrial Park in Ardmore, Oklahoma.