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London
CNN
—
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 vitality agency Equinor on Thursday introduced plans to construct hydrogen-fueled energy crops in Germany over the subsequent few years, in addition to a serious 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 section out all coal-fired energy stations by 2030 and decarbonize its vitality sector. Berlin has pivoted dramatically away from Russia as a supply of vitality since its invasion of Ukraine, and wishes to search out safe various suppliers.
“By this collaboration we’ll strengthen the long-term vitality safety for Europe’s main industrial nation,” Anders Opedal, Equinor’s CEO and president, mentioned in a joint assertion.
The ability 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 way of the underwater pipeline, the businesses mentioned.
Greater than 95% of the carbon dioxide emitted in the course of the manufacturing of hydrogen can be captured and saved below the seabed, they added. Equinor plans to develop a 2 gigawatt manufacturing capability for “blue” hydrogen by 2030.
The final word purpose is to generate so-called “inexperienced” hydrogen utilizing renewable vitality 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’s an pressing want for a speedy ramp up of the hydrogen financial system,” Markus Krebber, RWE’s chief government, mentioned within the assertion. “Blue hydrogen in massive portions could make a begin, with subsequent conversion into inexperienced hydrogen provide.”
The businesses 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, based on 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.
“Within the midst of the vitality disaster, we see how necessary Norway is as a dependable provider of fuel to Europe, however we additionally see how essential it’s that we change extra shortly to extra renewable vitality.” Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Stoere informed reporters in Oslo on Thursday, based on a Reuters report.
Simply 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 12 months — or greater than half of Germany’s annual consumption.
Within the months that adopted, Russia dramatically reduce flows of pure fuel by way of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. Flows on that pipeline stopped altogether in August when it shut for repairs. It didn’t reopen.
Each pipelines had been hit a month later by a collection 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} overseas energy is behind it.”
Suspicion has fallen on Russia as the one actor within the area believed to have each the aptitude and motivation to intentionally injury the pipelines. The Kremlin has denied putting the pipelines.
After the explosions, NATO vowed to mount a “united and decided response” if the injury proved to be deliberate.
— Charles Riley and Julia Horowitz contributed reporting.
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