Hydrogen project in Leipzig: hopefuls on the verge of extinction!

Hydrogen project in Leipzig: hopefuls on the verge of extinction!

HH2E AG's ambitious hydrogen project in the south of Leipzig is about to come to an end. The withdrawal of investors threatens to seriously jeopardize the future of the project. The planned plant for the production of green hydrogen was to be built on the site of the former Thierbach brown coal power plant and involved an investment volume of 250 million euros. In addition, 150 new jobs would have been created. However, HH2E AG's recent bankruptcy filing and the lack of further financial commitments from the main investor have thrown the plans into doubt. As blackout-news reports, the building permit is still pending and the financing of the project remains uncertain.

The disappointment in the Borna region and the surrounding area is noticeable. Many see the hydrogen project as a source of hope for structural change in the coalfield. Politicians describe this development as a “serious setback” for the affected communities. HH2E AG is now actively looking for new investors and funding, while discussions with potential partners are already underway. But without reliable financing, there is a risk that the project will finally come to an end.

Challenges for hydrogen production

The hydrogen market in Germany is also faced with further challenges. According to taz, there will be little usable excess electricity from renewable energies in Germany. Surpluses occur mainly in the summer months and on stormy winter days. The operating hours of electrolyzers, which are crucial for hydrogen production, are therefore severely limited. Over the course of a year, this only results in a few hundred operating hours, while a year counts 8,760 hours.

Using additional electrolyzers to use temporary surplus electricity could prove to be inefficient. These devices would often sit idle, incurring additional costs while providing little benefit. If you look at the power supply in other regions, you can see that in Scandinavia, for example, there is run-of-river water and in countries like France or Belgium there are nuclear power plants that can provide constant electricity for hydrogen production.

The situation makes it clear that electrolyzers in Germany are viewed as permanent subsidy businesses. This means that the ambitious goals regarding hydrogen production in Germany are in jeopardy and could not be achieved without comprehensive reforms and investments in sustainable energies. The coming months will be crucial in clarifying the future of the hydrogen project in Leipzig and the resulting structures in the region.