London
Act Daily News
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Germany simply took a step nearer to discovering a long-term, greener substitute for Russian pure fuel and coal.
German energy producer RWE
(RWEOY) and Norwegian state-owned power agency Equinor on Thursday introduced plans to construct hydrogen-fueled energy crops in Germany over the following few years, in addition to a significant pipeline between the 2 international locations to feed them.
The settlement — which isn’t but legally binding — is a part of Germany’s efforts to part out all coal-fired energy stations by 2030 and decarbonize its power sector. Berlin has pivoted dramatically away from Russia as a supply of power since its invasion of Ukraine, and desires to seek out safe different suppliers.
“Through this collaboration we will strengthen the long-term energy security for Europe’s leading industrial country,” Anders Opedal, Equinor’s CEO and president, mentioned in a joint assertion.
The energy crops, collectively owned by RWE and Equinor, will initially run on pure fuel produced in Norway earlier than transitioning to “blue” hydrogen, additionally produced in Norway utilizing pure fuel and pumped by means of the underwater pipeline, the businesses mentioned.
More than 95% of the carbon dioxide emitted throughout the manufacturing of hydrogen can be captured and saved beneath the seabed, they added. Equinor plans to develop a 2 gigawatt manufacturing capability for “blue” hydrogen by 2030.
The final goal is to generate so-called “green” hydrogen utilizing renewable power produced by offshore wind farms, they mentioned, with out offering goal dates.
The European Union has a goal to construct a 40 gigawatt renewable hydrogen manufacturing capability by 2030.
“There is an urgent need for a rapid ramp up of the hydrogen economy,” Markus Krebber, RWE’s chief government, mentioned within the assertion. “Blue hydrogen in large quantities can make a start, with subsequent conversion into green hydrogen supply.”
The corporations didn’t state what number of energy crops they intend to construct, or the worth of their joint investments.
Norway is now Europe’s greatest provider of pure fuel, in accordance with EU official statistics. Ever since Russia began slashing its exports to the bloc in retaliation for European sanctions over the battle in Ukraine, the Nordic nation has ramped up its personal exports to assist fill the hole.
“In the midst of the energy crisis, we see how important Norway is as a reliable supplier of gas to Europe, but we also see how crucial it is that we switch more quickly to more renewable energy.” Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Stoere informed reporters in Oslo on Thursday, in accordance with a Reuters report.
Just earlier than Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, Germany scrapped plans to make use of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which was constructed by Gazprom to ship as much as 55 billion cubic meters of pure fuel per yr — or greater than half of Germany’s annual consumption.
In the months that adopted, Russia dramatically lower flows of pure fuel by means of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. Flows on that pipeline stopped altogether in August when it shut for repairs. It didn’t reopen.
Both pipelines have been hit a month later by a sequence of explosions. Denmark and Sweden have mentioned the infrastructure was intentionally focused, and Sweden’s safety service has mentioned that it can’t be dominated out “that a foreign power is behind it.”
Suspicion has fallen on Russia as the one actor within the area believed to have each the potential and motivation to intentionally harm the pipelines. The Kremlin has denied hanging the pipelines.
After the explosions, NATO vowed to mount a “united and determined response” if the harm proved to be deliberate.
— Charles Riley and Julia Horowitz contributed reporting.