The Essen-based energy company RWE is planning an H2-ready gas power plant in Werne. The gas and steam turbine power plant is expected to have a capacity of 800 megawatts. The company has tasked an Italian-Spanish consortium with the planning. The approval process is already underway, although a final investment decision is still pending.
RWE Generation SE is planning to build hydrogen-capable gas power plants at multiple locations. The RWE power plant subsidiary aims to prepare for the coal phase-out in 2030 with these plants. Following Weisweiler in the Rhenish mining area, the company now plans a second H2-ready facility at the Werne site, it announced on Wednesday (May 29).
At the Gersteinwerk power plant, the energy company intends to construct a gas and steam turbine power plant (GuD) with a nominal capacity of approximately 800 megawatts. RWE has contracted a consortium of the companies Ansaldo Energia (Italy) and Tecnicas Reunidas (Spain) for the planning. The technical surveys have already been completed.
In the first step, the contract concluded between the companies includes the permit planning for the H2-ready gas power plant. This is essential to enable rapid construction thereafter. A final investment decision from RWE is still pending.
Operation Possible from 2030
With the ongoing permit planning, the energy provider is making advance efforts to potentially complete the GuD by 2030. However, this will require quick fundamental decisions from the government
"Only when the connection of the site to a hydrogen network is secured and the framework conditions enable the economic operation of the power plants can we make a final investment decision," said Nikolaus Valerius, CEO of RWE Generation SE.
The federal government has announced its intention to soon create a regulatory framework for the tendering of hydrogen-capable gas power plants with its power plant strategy. RWE plans to participate in these tenders. According to current plans, the Gersteinwerk GuD in Werne could be close to a hydrogen transport line.
50% Hydrogen Use from 2030
According to the company, the facility in Werne could begin electricity production by 2030. At the time of commissioning, the power plant should be able to use at least 50 percent hydrogen. Later, it is expected to be fully operated with hydrogen.
In the coming weeks, the company plans to inform the municipal committees in Werne, as well as the city of Hamm and the district of Unna, about their plans. Public information events are scheduled after the summer holidays. The construction of the power plant is one of about 30 projects involving hydrogen use that the company is currently advancing.
