HyCC and VNG to jointly develop green hydrogen projects for decarbonization of Central Germany
The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) towards this end at an existing electrolysis facility in Bitterfeld.
The companies will start with a study on the technical feasibility and potential of green hydrogen production to decarbonize industries in Central Germany. The aim is to develop one or more electrolysis projects of industrial scale in the region in the next three to five years.
Green hydrogen is produced from renewable electricity and water, using a process called electrolysis. This produces no CO2 or other harmful emissions. Hydrogen is vital to reach German and European climate goals, as it can be used produce materials such as steel, aviation fuels and essential chemicals and raw materials without CO2-emissions. Central Germany is home to a large chemical industry and a large potential market for green hydrogen.
Stijn van Els, CEO of HyCC: “Central Germany has a long industrial tradition. By combining our expertise in electrolysis with the experience of VNG in supplying sustainable energy to the region, we make a major contribution to help transform these industries towards a more circular, sustainable model, based on green hydrogen.”
Ulf Heitmüller CEO of VNG AG: “We are very happy about the cooperation with HyCC. The future belongs to green hydrogen as a climate-friendly and CO2-neutral energy source. That´s why it is important to accelerate the run-up of green hydrogen with projects like these. We need industrial scale solutions in hydrogen to support the German energy transition. Our home region in Central Germany is the ideal location for this. So now as VNG we are taking another significant step ahead from our natural gas basis with green gases.”
HyCC (the Hydrogen Chemistry Company) is a leading industrial partner for safe and reliable green hydrogen supplies and circular chemistry solutions to enable the transition to zero-carbon industry. Building on over 100 years of experience in electrolysis and our leadership in safety, we realize pioneering water electrolysis projects to supply industries with zero-carbon hydrogen from renewable power and water. From making sustainable steel to circular jet fuels – we believe that green hydrogen is the key to providing a growing population with essential products, with zero emissions to realize more sustainable economic development. HyCC is a joint venture of European essential chemical company Nobian and Macquarie’s Green Investment Group.
VNG is a group of over 20 companies active in the European energy industry, employing more than 1,500 people. As the third largest gas importer and gas storage operator in Germany and operating, through subsidiary ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH, a pipeline network covering 7,700 km, the group, which is headquartered in Leipzig, is central to the secure supply of gas in Germany. VNG supplies gas to around 400 municipal utilities and industrial customers, meeting around 20% of Germany’s demand for gas. With its “VNG 2030+” strategy, VNG is also on an ambitious path in its commitment to renewable and decarbonised gases. VNG is already one of the leading producers of biogas in Germany and is actively involved in many projects to establish a CO2-neutral hydrogen economy. Building on its core expertise in gas and critical infrastructure, VNG is working along the entire gas value chain to ensure a sustainable, climate-neutral and secure energy supply for the future.
press picture
The agreement was signed at the existing electrolysis facility of Nobian in Bitterfeld. From left to right: Marcel Galjee (Managing Director of HyCC), Ulf Heitmüller (CEO of VNG), Stijn van Els (CEO of HyCC) and Hans-Joachim Polk (CTO of VNG). Photo by: Anika Dollmeyer.
