Supported by funding from the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) programme, the plant could produce up to 11,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year, for use in bp’s own refineries and other industrial customers in the region.
The project will also be connected to Germany’s planned 9,040km hydrogen core network.
Renewable energy to power the plant’s electrolysers will initially be supplied through an offshore wind power purchase agreement.
With construction scheduled to start in 2025, bp expects to commission the plant in 2027.
“This decision is very good news for bp and for the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy in Germany,” said Patrick Wendeler, CEO of bp Europa. “Lingen Green Hydrogen is an example of bp’s disciplined and strategic approach to investing in hydrogen projects.”
It comes after the oil major revealed that it had stopped developing 18 early-stage hydrogen projects, amid its focus on higher return projects.
However, Wendeler explained government support made a “significant contribution to the continuation of this project.”
Under the IPCEI Hy2Infra programme, bp was granted funding by both Germany’s federal government, as well as the State of Lower-Saxony.
bp’s hydrogen and CCS Senior Vice President, Felipe Arbelaez, added, “This is another great example of how we can successfully drive a lower-emission hydrogen future by working with governments.
“Projects like Lingen Green Hydrogen help create value for the region, partners, customers and bp – including our bp refineries – as they can contribute to decarbonisation and support the transition to lower-emission energy solutions.”
