Hydrogen project in Leipzig: Hope before the end!

Hydrogen project in Leipzig: Hope before the end!

Leipzig, Deutschland - The ambitious hydrogen project of HH2E AG in the south of Leipzig is about to end. The withdrawal of investors threatens to seriously endanger the future of the project. The planned system for the production of green hydrogen was to be built on the site of the former Thierbach lignite power plant and was associated with an investment volume of 250 million euros. In addition, 150 new jobs would have been created. However, HH2E AG's latest application for bankruptcy and the lack of further financial commitments from the main investor have faltered the plans. As reports Blackout-News, the building permit is still pending, and the financing of the project remains unsafe.

The disappointment in the Borna region and the surrounding area is noticeable. Many see the hydrogen project as a hope for structural change in the coal area. Politicians refer to this development as a "bitter setback" for the affected communities. HH2E AG is now actively looking for new investors and funding, while discussions with potential partners are already underway. However, without resilient financing, the final thing is threatened by the project.

challenges for hydrogen production

The hydrogen market in Germany is also faced with further challenges. According to the taz, there will be only unusable excess electricity from renewable energies in Germany. Surpluses are mainly created in the summer months and on stormy winter days. The operating hours of electrolysers who are decisive for hydrogen production are therefore very limited. In the course of the year, this only has a few hundred operating hours, while one year is 8,760 hours.

Using additional electrolysers to use temporary electricity surpluses could prove to be less efficient. These devices would often stand still, which would result in additional costs, while the benefits would only be low. If you look at the power supply in other regions, you can see that running water is available in Scandinavia and there are nuclear power plants in countries such as France or Belgium that can consistently provide electricity for hydrogen production.

The situation illustrates that electrolysers in Germany are considered permanent subsidy transactions. This means that the ambitious goals in terms of hydrogen production in Germany are on the brink and could not be achieved without comprehensive reforms and investments in sustainable energies. The coming months will be decisive to clarify the future of the hydrogen project in Leipzig and the resulting structures in the region.