Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Begins 800-MW Hydrogen Project in Germany
Denmark-headquartered Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), through its Energy Transition Fund (CI ETF I), and Friesen Elektra Green Energy AG have initiated project Anker, a green hydrogen production facility in Sande, Germany. The project is scheduled to have an electrolysis capacity of 400 MW with plans to expand capacity to 800 MW at a later stage. Project Anker is located near Wilhelmshaven, an important energy and industrial hub, and near the future German hydrogen core network. CIP on Jan. 15 said the project is expected to produce 80,000 tons of green hydrogen annually that will benefit key German industries, including steel and chemicals, as well as the transport sector. The project will bolster the regional economy in Lower Saxony by creating new jobs, growth and fostering active community engagement. Project Anker will be powered by renewable energy from the grid, supported by offshore and onshore wind, as well as solar energy. By substituting fossil fuels with green hydrogen, the project can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 2.4 million tons annually, equivalent to the emissions of approximately 340,000 households. “Project Anker has the potential to make an important contribution to Germany’s journey towards a carbon-neutral future. At CIP, we continue to see a large potential in green hydrogen despite slower than expected market development and we remain committed to investments in large-scale renewable infrastructure solutions to decarbonize energy-intensive industries. We look very much forward to bring the project to realization together with our new partners at Friesen Elektra and to a constructive collaboration with the German authorities.” said Felix Pahl, partner at CIP. “We are delighted to welcome CIP and its highly skilled, experienced team as a strategic investor and development partner in our Hydrogen Park Friesland. This collaboration is a major step towards creating one of Germany’s premier hydrogen production sites. Together, we aim to accelerate the energy transition and advance decarbonization by leveraging our combined strengths and expertise,” said Christian Gätje, CFO of Friesen Elektra. CIP’s Energy Transition Fund I (CI ETF I) is the largest dedicated greenfield green hydrogen fund worldwide. CI ETF I has built a market leading portfolio of Power-to-X projects, with about 6.5 GW of electrolyser capacity in its development portfolio globally. —POWER edited this content, which was contributed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.