Uniper, Salzgitter plan 1-GW green hydrogen plant for steel production

Uniper SE is planning to build an electrolysis plant in Germany with capacity of up to 1,000 MW to supply Salzgitter AG's SALCOS project with green hydrogen to produce steel.

The German utility signed a cooperation agreement with Salzgitter to build the electrolysis plant in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. As part of the agreement, the companies will assess the possibility of a direct connection to a planned offshore wind farm in the North Sea, according to a Feb. 21 news release.

"We need 'green electrons' and 'green molecules' if we want to achieve the proclaimed climate protection objectives, while preserving our industry in Germany," Uniper CEO Klaus-Dieter Maubach said in the statement. "The Wilhelmshaven site offers all the necessary preconditions for creating Germany's first major hydrogen hub."

The companies also intend to engage with additional partners to supply Salzgitter through the German hydrogen pipeline network and develop cavern storage facilities.