The hub would enable ammonia imports into Germany from around the world. BP would ship green ammonia from its global network of hydrogen projects to Wilhelmshaven, where the cracker would convert it into green hydrogen.

“The development of this import facility complements BP’s global hydrogen project portfolio, as we develop a presence in a number of potential hydrogen and ammonia export locations in the Middle East, Africa and Australia, which could supply part of the European demand in the coming years,” said Felipe Arbelaez, senior vice president hydrogen and carbon capture and storage at BP.

Plans are to use the existing infrastructure of the Nord-West Oelleitung terminal at Wilhelmshaven, where BP is a participating shareholder. Existing oil & gas pipelines could be used for transporting the hydrogen, which would be delivered to customers in the Ruhr region, as well as other centers of demand. 

With its deep-water harbor and pipeline system, BP said Wilhelmshaven is one of Germany’s most important energy terminals and is well positioned to support energy transition activities. Patrick Wendeler, CEO of BP Europa, added that the hub would help create greater energy independence for its German customers across a range of low-carbon energy products. 

The project is the latest in a string of BP hydrogen proposals in Germany and follows the H₂ Nukleus and Lingen Green Hydrogen concepts, which together are anticipated to help Germany reduce CO₂ emissions in energy-intensive areas such as chemicals and steel production.

BP and partners Evonik, Nowega, OGE and RWE Generation signed a Memorandum of Understanding in March 2020 to develop the H₂ Nukleus project. Green hydrogen produced by RWE Generation will be transported to industrial customers and refineries in Lingen, Marl and Gelsenkirchen, expected from the beginning of 2024.

The Lingen Green Hydrogen project is a joint venture between BP and Danish renewable energy group Ørsted. The two partners will build an electrolyzer in Lingen, which is due to start up in 2025 and provide renewable hydrogen to both BP’s nearby refinery and other customers in Germany and Europe.

Author: Elaine burridge, Freelance Journalist