RWE is advancing its plans to build hydrogen-ready gas-fired power plants at various sites in Germany, aiming to support the country’s coal phase-out by 2030. Following the initial project at Weisweiler in the Rhenish mining area, RWE is now focusing on a potential site in Werne, located in the southern Münsterland region. The proposed Gersteinwerk power plant will feature a hydrogen-ready combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) with a nominal capacity of around 800 megawatts.
After thorough technical evaluations, RWE has engaged an Italian-Spanish consortium to develop the project plans. The planning approval process is already in progress.
Nikolaus Valerius, CEO of RWE Generation SE, stated, “By initiating the approval planning for a hydrogen-ready gas-fired power plant at Gersteinwerk, we are proactively ensuring the possibility of completion by 2030. The construction of this new power plant will significantly contribute to green energy supply and support the coal phase-out by 2030. However, final investment decisions hinge on the establishment of a hydrogen network connection and a regulatory framework that ensures the commercial viability of these plants.”
The German government has indicated that its forthcoming power plant strategy will establish a regulatory framework for tendering hydrogen-ready gas-fired power plants. RWE plans to participate in these tenders. The recent plans for hydrogen infrastructure development in Germany suggest that the Gersteinwerk plant in Werne could be near a future hydrogen transport pipeline.
RWE’s tender for the hydrogen-ready CCGT was awarded to a consortium comprising Ansaldo Energia (Italy) and Tecnicas Reunidas (Spain). The contract involves planning approval for the power plant as the initial phase.
Planning work is already underway, paving the way for RWE to commence project implementation upon reaching an investment decision.
According to current plans, the Werne plant could begin electricity production by 2030. At the time of commissioning, the plant should be capable of operating with a fuel mix containing at least 50% hydrogen, with the goal of transitioning to 100% hydrogen in the future.