RWE expands plans for hydrogen storage facility in Gronau

RWE Gas Storage West is pushing ahead with the ramp-up of the European hydrogen market. To this end, it is expanding its plans to include additional underground and above-ground facilities for the storage of hydrogen at the Kottiger Hook site in the Gronau-Epe storage field.

Part of the framework operating plan procedure under mining law is a voluntary environmental impact assessment. This examines the potential impact of the project on the environment with the involvement of authorities, public agencies and the public. RWE submitted the necessary planning notification to the Arnsberg district government in July. Today, the authority has now announced the start of the so-called scoping procedure.

In Germany, the scoping procedure is required by law to ensure that environmental assessments are carried out effectively. It is used to define relevant topics and aspects that need to be considered as part of a project and to determine the scope and depth of the investigations.

We will also provide the public with transparent information about the expansion of the hydrogen storage facility currently under construction,’ emphasises André Tenbrock, Head of Operations at RWE Gas Storage West. As in the past, RWE will be holding several events to provide information about the project and its progress. The next public information event is already planned for September in the form of a dialogue market in Gronau-Epe; RWE will provide information on the time and place as soon as possible.

The transport and storage infrastructure will play a key role in the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy. The hydrogen cavern storage facility planned by RWE Gas Storage West will help to buffer the fluctuating production of hydrogen from wind and solar power. This will enable green hydrogen to be made available to industrial consumers as and when required.