Austrian energy and chemicals company OMV has set out plans to build a 140MW electrolysis plant at its Schwechat refinery, capable of producing 23,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually.
The hydrogen will be used in the refining process and is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by up to 150,000 tonnes, equivalent to around 10% of the site’s current production-related output.
OMV estimates the facility will cost in the “mid-hundreds of millions of euros” and become operational in 2027. A funding agreement with the European Hydrogen Bank is being finalised and is expected to be signed this year.
The project follows the installation of a 10MW electrolyser at the site in 2024.
“Green hydrogen is a key component of our Strategy 2030 as a means of decarbonising our fuel production and a key to OMV’s responsible transformation,” said Alfred Stern, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of OMV.
The company has also introduced co-processing technology to convert up to 160,000 tonnes of liquid biomass, such as used cooking oil, into renewable diesel components, with potential to produce sustainable aviation fuel.
OMV is additionally developing ReOil technology, which converts waste plastics into pyrolysis oil for use as feedstock in virgin-quality plastics production.
For the latest project, Siemens Energy will supply electrolysis stacks, transformers, rectifiers and compressors, while construction will be managed by built-environment technology provider Strabag.
“Our technology enables the efficient and scalable production of green hydrogen as an important energy source of the future,” said Juha Pankakoski, Extended Board Member of Siemens Energy. “Projects like this provide important impetus for the development of the hydrogen market.”