Storengy Deutschland plans to build a hydrogen storage facility in the Stade area

• As part of the ‘SaltHy’ project, Storengy Deutschland GmbH is planning to expand its existing natural gas storage facility at the Harsefeld site to expand its salt caverns and the associated above-ground facilities for the underground storage of up to 15,000 tonnes of hydrogen.

• The hydrogen storage facility is currently scheduled to go into operation in 2030. With this project, Storengy Deutschland is making an important contribution to the decarbonisation of the energy infrastructure and the H2 market ramp-up.

• ‘SaltHy’ underlines the ambitions of the Stade region to become the leading hydrogen hub in northern Germany.

Berlin, 11.06.2024. As part of the ‘SaltHy’ project, Storengy Deutschland GmbH is planning to expand its existing natural gas storage facility at the Harsefeld site in the Stade area (Lower Saxony) in order to build new salt caverns for the underground storage of 100 percent hydrogen.

The first new salt cavern for storing hydrogen is scheduled to be taken into operation in 2030 and the second is expected to be completed by 2034. A storage volume of around 7,500 tonnes of hydrogen per cavern is planned. The storage volume of one cavern is able to cover the needs of a regional steelworks (140 tonnes of hydrogen per day) for around two months. Mapping measures, detailed engineering and preparatory measures for the approval process are currently being implemented at the site. In the future, the two caverns currently used for natural gas storage will also be repurposed for H2 storage.

The planned hydrogen storage facility is strategically located at the heart of the European hydrogen core network (‘EU Hydrogen Backbone’) in northern Germany, parts of which are scheduled to go into operation in 2028. This will connect the storage facility directly to the European transport network. 

In line with this, SaltHy has been categorised by the European Union as a Project of Common Interest (PCI). This confirms that the project is a central component of the European energy transition. According to the EU, this should significantly simplify access to project funding and speed up approval processes.

The need to expand the hydrogen infrastructure

As a versatile energy carrier, hydrogen is an essential component for decarbonising the economy and achieving the European climate targets. For a successful market ramp-up of hydrogen, the development of a large-scale hydrogen infrastructure must be significantly accelerated. Germany is in particular demand: The north-west of the country is the region of energy-intensive industrial clusters (such as the steel and chemical industries), which will require large amounts of hydrogen in the future. A large-scale infrastructure for the arrival, production, transport and storage of hydrogen is needed here in particular. The long-term storage requirements for hydrogen exceed the conversion potential of existing natural gas storage facilities. Additional new storage facilities are therefore necessary. Due to its geology, northern Germany has vast salt deposits. Caverns are built underground in the earth's salt rock at a depth of around 1,000 to 2,000 metres. Due to their natural density, salt caverns are ideally suited for the safe storage of gases.

Energy region Stade gets fit for hydrogen

The Stade region is becoming an H₂ hub; various projects are currently being developed along the entire hydrogen value chain. Its geographical location in northern Germany with a neighbouring port, delivery by ship and ammonia rectification make Stade an important strategic hub for hydrogen-related trade, logistics and industrial development. The region also has areas for onshore and offshore wind turbines to produce green hydrogen locally.

Storengy Deutschland is in close contact with a wide range of players from politics, business and the community in order to think together about the Stade hydrogen region and to recognise and use potential synergies at an early stage. Ute Kück, Mayor of the joint municipality of Harsefeld near Stade, emphasises:

„Hydrogen storage facilities are the missing piece of the puzzle for connecting the import terminal, regional production using electrolysis, the ‘Hyperlink’ hydrogen transport network, the ‘Hamburg Green Energy Hub’ distribution network and consumption centres from the energy-intensive industry in the best possible way. Storage facilities provide flexibility and security for projects on the production and industrial side. With Storengy, we have a strong partner at our side and the municipality, who has been active in the region for many years and brings the necessary experience and expertise in the safe operation of gas storage facilities and the implementation of highly complex industrial projects We are excited that this project will enhance the economic region of Stade and strengthen our position as the H₂ hub of northern Germany.“

Press release