Alongside Schätzle, EWA-Energi Uri and SGV, Axpo started construction of its 2MW H2Uri project, adjacent to EWA’s hydropower plant in Bürglen, which will supply the electrolyser with green electricity.
Expected to start up as early as next year, the plant will produce up to 260 tonnes of green hydrogen annually, with its output being used in a hydrogen-powered vessel on Lake Lucerne, as well as other applications.
Being constructed by Shiptec, the Saphir vessel will be converted to a hydrogen fuel cell system to cut emissions on the lake.
Schätzle, which operates an Avia hydrogen refuelling station in central Switzerland, will also offtake green hydrogen.
“This project in Bürglen is a continuation of our strategy to play our part in the development of the hydrogen ecosystem in Switzerland,” said Guy Bühler, Head of Power Plants and Green Gases at Axpo.
Having opened its first 2.5MW green hydrogen plant in Domat/Ems earlier this year, Bühler said the company had gained “valuable experience.”
Despite setbacks in hydrogen broadly, Bühler said he remains convinced that hydrogen will have a key role to play in decarbonisation.
With plans to build another green hydrogen plant in Wildegg-Brugg, following an initial delay in building permits, construction is expected to begin in spring 2025.
“While this plant is being built, we’re planning to supply our partner Voegtlin-Meyer’s nearby H2 refuelling station with green hydrogen from Axpo’s production facilities in Domat/Ems and, when it comes onstream, Bürglen,” Bühler said.
