FOCUS-Energy firms bet big on German port as clean energy hub

In This Article:

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Wilhelmshaven to grow beyond first LNG mover status

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Firms to spend more than 5 bln euros in 2026-2030

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Wintershall Dea plans to spend 1 bln on two projects

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Green hydrogen, ammonia targeted to replace fossil fuels

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Green energy bonanza could attract other industry

By Vera Eckert

WILHELMSHAVEN, Germany, April 6 (Reuters) - Germany's only deep water port, home to its largest naval base, is where energy firms now plan to spend more than $5.5 billion to help construct the clean energy infrastructure the country needs to help end its reliance on Russian gas.

Europe's leading industrial exporter has only just managed to get through an energy crunch by rushing to build makeshift floating infrastructure for importing liquefied natural gas (LNG), aiming to partially plug the gap left by Moscow's cuts.

But with energy firms already looking beyond LNG in efforts to reduce fossil fuel use, the port of Wilhelmshaven on Germany's northern coast is emerging as a hub for the infrastructure which is needed for hydrogen and ammonia imports, hydrogen production and offshore carbon emissions storage.

"We will become the pumping heart of Germany by 2030," said Alexander Leonhardt, who heads the business development agency for Wilhelmshaven, which has a population of 80,000. Challenges to its development include concerns about disturbing wildlife in the sensitive Wadden Sea and the risks of LNG overcapacity.

Uwe Oppitz of Rhenus Ports, who speaks for Energy Hub Port Wilhelmshaven, said that Wintershall Dea, Uniper and Tree Energy Solutions (TES) plan to spend a total of more than 5 billion euros at Wilhelmshaven.

Energy Hub Port Wilhelmshaven comprises 30 companies, which include E.ON, RWE and Orsted, as well as Wilhelmshaven's home state of Lower Saxony.

Oppitz said the investment, the magnitude of which has not previously been reported, will be made between 2026 and 2030, adding that the overall figure was disclosed on condition that no breakdown would be published.

TES, which is backed by Belgium private investment firm AtlasInvest, said the total sum was plausible.

Wintershall Dea said it is planning two projects, called BlueHyNow and CO2nnectNow.

"Feasibility studies are currently being prepared for both projects, which will provide further insights into their practicability," the company said in an emailed comment.

"Wintershall Dea plans to invest around 1 billion euros in the Wilhelmshaven site together with its partners," it said.

Uniper was not immediately available for comment.

The investment commitment is raising hopes that money and jobs can be funnelled into what is a relatively weak region economically and that it may even attract some companies to relocate from Germany's industrial heartland in the south.