1.6 million euros for hydrogen production in Chemnitz

The Chemnitz-based energy supplier Eins Energie is receiving a total of around 1.6 million euros for the construction of a hydrogen electrolyser and the conversion of existing natural gas pipelines for use with green hydrogen from renewable energies. The Saxon Ministry of Infrastructure handed over two corresponding funding decisions to the company in Chemnitz.

With the construction of the plant, the Free State of Saxony is supporting the further development of the first of four new hydrogen centers nationwide, which began operations in Chemnitz last year. "The project is making an important contribution to strengthening Chemnitz as a research location and to the development of a hydrogen-based industry in Saxony," said State Secretary Sören Trillenberg.

Plant to supply hydrogen campus until the 2030s

The funding comes from the European Union's Just Transition Fund (JTF) to support the transition to a climate-neutral economy, the ministry added. According to the information, Eins Energie is planning an electrolyzer with an electrolysis capacity of 240 kilowatts. A downstream stationary hydrogen storage unit will store around 115 cubic meters (around 330 kilograms) of the energy carrier. The first customer will be the Hydrogen Innovation Center (HIC).

Chemnitz is one of four locations of the German government's National Hydrogen Innovation and Technology Center (ITZ). A new building is to be constructed on the city's technology campus in several construction phases by 2029. According to the supporting association HZwo, around 100 people will work there. According to the ministry, Eins Energie's hydrogen project will secure the base load supply of hydrogen for the construction area until the 2030s and could be further increased in the future.

A total of 645 million euros in EU funding for the coal phase-out in Saxony

The HIC in Chemnitz is primarily intended to support small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups in developing new business areas for hydrogen technologies. To this end, laboratories, test benches and workshops are being built to efficiently develop new technologies and products to market maturity.

In total, the Saxon lignite regions will receive EU funding of 645 million euros for structural change until 2027, the ministry added. The majority of this - 375 million euros - will go to the Lusatian coalfield. The Central German mining district will receive 200 million euros and the city of Chemnitz 70 million euros.