Danish hydrogen electrolysis project gets environmental approval

Danish hydrogen electrolysis project gets environmental approval | Windpower Monthly

The facility plans to produce green hydrogen by using offshore wind energy to power electrolysis of wastewater from local treatment plants.

Mark Pedersen, operations manager at H2 Energy Europe, said the project expected to “absorb more than 1 million cubic metres of water annually for electrolysis”, adding that it would in turn reduce strain on drinking water and groundwater resources in the area.

Esbjerg city’s ‘Vision 2025’ plan aims to transform the municipality into a sustainable energy hub. Mayor Jesper Frost Rasmussen welcomed the progress on the project.

“This development sends a decisive message... demonstrating that private investors can receive approvals for their projects and are prepared to commence construction of large-scale hydrogen facilities in the city,” he said.

H2 Energy Europe said the plant would create around 60 permanent jobs and up to 700 jobs during the construction phase.

The facility is expected to have a 1GW electrolysis capacity and will also produce CO2-neutral surplus heat which could meanwhile be used for domestic heating in Esbjerg.

The project is reliant on a proposed hydrogen pipeline for export to other European countries that is slated for completion in 2028 and the importance of which H2 Energy Europe said “cannot be overstated”.