Energy Park Bad Lauchstädt
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The regulatory sandbox for the energy transition
The production and distribution of green hydrogen falls under the purview of Elektrolyse Mitteldeutschland GmbH - a joint venture between VNG Handel & Vertrieb GmbH and Uniper Hydrogen. To this end, renewable electricity is sourced from the nearby wind farm and used to produce green hydrogen via the large-scale electrolysis plant. The hydrogen produced is environmentally friendly, easy to store, balances out fluctuations in solar and wind power, and can be used in a variety of ways. In addition to green production and the procedural handling of deliveries to customers, we analyze and optimize commercial and technical processes to ensure the best possible utilization throughout the entire value chain.
In September 2021, the collaborative project was awarded state funding as a regulatory sandbox for the energy transition. With the final investment decision in Q2 2023, the consortium partners gave the green light for the implementation of this innovative hydrogen project. This marked the transition of the Energiepark Bad Lauchstädt from the planning phase to the construction and realization phase.
Another important milestone followed in November 2023 with the signing of Germany’s first hydrogen supply agreement between Elektrolyse Mitteldeutschland GmbH and TotalEnergies Raffinerie Mitteldeutschland GmbH.
In August 2026, the energy park received RFNBO certification (Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origin), confirming that the hydrogen produced meets the requirements of the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) and can be marketed as RFNBO-compliant green hydrogen. The start of deliveries of the locally produced hydrogen is planned for the second half of 2026.
The power-to-gas project is supported by experts from the wind industry, gas infrastructure, vehicle transport and chemical industry. These include our project partners Terrawatt, Uniper, DBI, VNG Gasspeicher GmbH, ONTRAS and VNG AG. The project is funded and supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and is recognized as a best-practice project for green hydrogen.
"The opportunity to implement a green hydrogen value chain on an industrial scale from generation, transport and storage to delivery to the customer is a unique undertaking in the project region around Bad Lauchstädt, which has ideal infrastructural conditions. As the project team of VNG Handel & Vertrieb GmbH and joint venture partner of Elektrolyse Mitteldeutschland GmbH, we are an integral part of this “regulatory sandbox for the energy transition”. In the emerging market ramp-up, we are assuming responsibility for supplying our customers with green hydrogen and at the same time laying the foundations for the green transformation within VNG Handel & Vertrieb."
Sebastian Pflüger
Senior Project Manager Hydrogen VNG Handel & Vertrieb GmbH and Managing Director Elektrolyse Mitteldeutschland GmbH
Which VNG Group companies are involved?
Did you know? Key facts & figures about the project:
> 8 wind turbines with a total rated output of 50 MW (hub height approx. 120-170m) supply the green electricity for electrolysis.
> The large-scale electrolysis plant with a capacity of up to 30 MW covers an area of approx. 80 x 130 metres.
> The H2 pipeline is an existing natural gas pipeline that is being repurposed for 100% hydrogen transport.
> The H2 storage volume of the cavern is 50 million Nm3. This corresponds to almost two times the annual green hydrogen production of the electrolyser.
Project website
Further information on the Bad Lauchstädt Energy Park project can be found on the project website.
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