The Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub (HGHH) – a project being driven by Luxcara and Hamburger Energiewerke – was chosen by the IJGlobal judging panel to win the Power-to-X award in the hydrogen category.

One of the IJGlobal ESG Awards 2024 judges said of HGHH: “This is a development in a major area, beyond where others are progressing.”

Another judge added: “You have to admire Luxcara for taking a decisive step on a key project that is going to have a massive impact on energy transition in Germany – providing  roadmap for so many to follow.”

This award is to recognise Luxcara acquiring a 74.9% stake in HGGH – replacing Shell and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries – for a reported price of €700 million ($749.2m).

HGHH is located within Hamburg’s industrial centre and is the first location that is being transformed from a coal power plant into a green energy hub. This brownfield approach stands as a concrete example by repurposing existing infrastructure.

Anchored by a 100MW electrolyzer – fuelled exclusively by renewable energy sources from the surrounding area – this venture is poised to kickstart commercial production by 2027. It will produce up to 15,500 tons of green hydrogen annually.

With a strategic focus on reducing carbon emissions, the project promises to usher in a new era of sustainability for Hamburg’s industrial and port sectors.

The project is not dedicated to a single customer, but is following an open market approach – including connection to the European Hydrogen Backbone and a trailer loading station to supply customers without a pipeline connection.

The submission states: “Our initiative thrives on collaboration, exemplified by our robust public-private partnership. By joining forces, Hamburger Energiewerke and Luxcara are driving meaningful change and shaping a more sustainable future together.

“Localised production facilities will not only create jobs and stimulate economic growth but also reduce transportation-related emissions associated with traditional hydrogen production methods.”

The submission continues: “At the heart of our operation lies our commitment to sustainability and economics. Embracing a brownfield approach, we repurpose existing infrastructure, maximising resource efficiency and minimising environmental impact while ensuring cost-effectiveness.

“In the HGHH, an electrolyzer will produce hydrogen and oxygen from water. This process generates 13MW of usable heat – enough to supply up to 6,000 households.

“The overall efficiency of the electrolysis process increases from about 70% to up to 85% thanks to this utilisation of what otherwise would have been waste heat.”

Luxcara was advised by CMS on legal aspects of the transaction.