Austria's RAG Austria and ANDRITZ Break Ground on 12.5MW Green Hydrogen Plant

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Following the groundbreaking ceremony, RAG Austria and ANDRITZ have officially commenced construction of a 12.5MW green hydrogen plant in Gampern, Upper Austria. Once completed, it will become Austria's largest green hydrogen facility.

The plant is scheduled to begin operations by the end of 2026, primarily powered by solar energy, and is expected to produce approximately 17 million cubic meters (over 1,500 tons) of green hydrogen annually. The project aims to store surplus renewable electricity generated in summer for use during high-demand winter periods, enhancing energy security through large-scale seasonal storage and providing a continuous supply of green hydrogen for industrial applications.

The hydrogen produced can be used for power generation and heating, helping to gradually replace natural gas. ANDRITZ is responsible for delivering the entire plant under an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) model, covering project execution and commissioning, with the supply scope including hydrogen purification and compression systems.

Several Austrian energy suppliers, including EVN, KELAG, Energie, LINZ, and Salzburg, have already reserved electrolysis capacity at the site.

Markus Mitteregger, CEO of RAG Austria, stated that given the growing demand for green hydrogen in industry and heating power generation, especially in winter, Europe must immediately begin producing its own hydrogen and continuously utilize available surplus electricity. He emphasized that approximately half of future demand will be met within Europe, making action imperative.

The plant is part of the RAG Valley energy hub under development in Gampern, showcasing a complete value chain: local solar power is converted into hydrogen, stored underground, and used for combined heat and power or blended into the existing natural gas grid. The Austrian government has already identified significant seasonal storage needs for 2030 and 2040, noting that such facilities are essential to support the country's transition to renewable energy.