Kickoff for one of the largest green hydrogen projects in Germany: The official groundbreaking ceremony in Wunsiedel marked the start of construction of a hydrogen generation plant with a capacity of 8.75 megawatts. The facility will produce up to 1,350 tons of hydrogen per year using only renewable energy, for example from solar or wind power. Using the generated hydrogen in transportation and industry allows for CO2 savings of up to 13,500 annually. Siemens Smart Infrastructure is the general contractor for the entire plant, with Siemens Financial Services (SFS) participating in the equity financing as well as holding a share of 45 percent in the operating company WUN H2 GmbH. The electrolyzer will be supplied by Siemens Energy. Attended by Dr. Markus Söder, Minister-President of Bavaria, Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian State Minister of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, Thorsten Glauber, Bavarian State Minister of Environmental and Consumer Protection Affairs, Professor Dr. Ralf P. Thomas, Chief Financial Officer of Siemens, Dr. Philipp Matthes and Dr. Thilo Rießner, Managing Directors of WUN H2, Nicolas Lahovnik, Mayor of Wunsiedel, Marco Krasser, Managing Director of SWW Wunsiedel, and Andreas Schmuderer, Siemens Project Manager, the groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of construction of this lighthouse project.
In his remarks, Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger says: “The WUN H2 project is an important contribution to implementing Bavaria’s hydrogen strategy. Green hydrogen ‘Made in Bavaria’ demonstrates domestic technological expertise and increases acceptance through local value creation.”
Minister of Environmental Affairs Thorsten Glauber adds: “Hydrogen is a key technology on the road to a climate-neutral future. The energy transition will only succeed if there are many innovative approaches like the one pursued in Wunsiedel.”