Drees & Sommer Manages EWE’s Large-Scale Hydrogen Project in Emden

Drees & Sommer SE, a leading consulting firm specializing in infrastructure, construction, and real estate, has been appointed to manage the large-scale hydrogen production project in Emden, Germany, being undertaken by EWE, the northern German energy supplier.

Drees & Sommer will provide comprehensive project management services, including project steering, approval procedures, engineering management, and tendering support. The company brings extensive experience in managing complex infrastructure projects, particularly in the energy sector.

The planned 320-megawatt electrolysis plant in Emden will produce up to 26,000 metric tonnes of green hydrogen per year, primarily for use in the steel industry. The project is part of EWE’s Clean Hydrogen Coastline (CHC) initiative, which aims to integrate green hydrogen production, transport, storage, and use.  

Drees & Sommer will provide comprehensive project management services, including project steering, approval procedures, engineering management, and tendering support. The company brings extensive experience in managing complex infrastructure projects, particularly in the energy sector.

The planned 320-megawatt electrolysis plant in Emden will produce up to 26,000 metric tonnes of green hydrogen per year, primarily for use in the steel industry. The project is part of EWE’s Clean Hydrogen Coastline (CHC) initiative, which aims to integrate green hydrogen production, transport, storage, and use.

“The project is very complex,“ explains Alexander Stubinitzky, Head of Hydrogen & SynFuels at Drees & Sommer. “All trades have to be scaled up, and there are many interfaces that have to be cleanly organized during implementation. The project is extremely demanding in technical terms and with regard to organization and scheduling of time.“

EWE has secured funding for the CHC project through the European Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) program. The total investment for the project exceeds 800 million euros, with 350 million euros coming from German federal funds and 150 million euros from the federal state government.

The CHC project includes the construction of electrolysis plants in Emden and Bremen, the repurposing of a gas cavern for hydrogen storage, and the conversion of pipeline sections. These initiatives will contribute to avoiding grid bottlenecks and promoting the use of green hydrogen in various industrial applications.