To strengthen its “role in the global hydrogen economy,” Enertrag, a developer and producer of renewable energies, opened its Hamburg office in fall 2024. At the new branch, Enertrag wants to contribute to the decarbonization of the logistics and shipping industry. And: “We want to supply not only the shipping industry, but also numerous other industries with green hydrogen,” announced CEO Gunar Hering in front of more than 80 invited guests at the official opening of the new premises. These occupy the top floor of the historic Laeiszhof, a magnificent, richly decorated clinker brick building in the center of the Hanseatic city.
As the center of wind energy in Germany, Hamburg will also be an important location for the hydrogen industry in the future. This is demonstrated by the construction work underway since last year for the 100-megawatt electrolyzer in Moorburg and for the Hanseatic city’s H2 industrial network (see H2-international, May 2024). The port therefore offers “ideal conditions to act as a hub for the import and export of hydrogen and its derivatives,” continued CEO Hering. In close cooperation with the shipping company F. Laeisz, the H2Global Foundation and other neighbors in the Laeiszhof, Enertrag wants to advance the infrastructure for the trade and use of green hydrogen.
Nikolaus Schües, CEO of the F. Laeisz Group, which operates its own ships for the transportation of ammonia, emphasized the importance of maritime logistics for the energy transition. The development of a sustainable and competitive energy supply can only succeed through cross-sector cooperation, he said, adding that “Shipping is an important link in this, not only as a transporter, but also as a user of hydrogen-based energy sources.” The traditional shipping company, which celebrated its 200th anniversary in spring 2024 and used to transport saltpeter, bananas and wheat, among other things, is focusing on green methanol and green ammonia for the future. And is planning to convert parts of its fleet to these energy sources.
CEO Gunar Hering with Finance Senator Andreas Dressel and ship owner Nikolaus W. Schües (from left)
Enertrag, in turn, takes care of the production and availability of hydrogen derivatives. The CEO of the company, which has more than 1,100 employees on four continents, refers to the many years of experience in the production of green hydrogen, for example at the Uckermark combined-cycle power plant, which Enertrag has been operating since 2011.
Hamburg’s Finance Senator Andreas Dressel was delighted by the arrival of the business in the city. In a greeting to the future neighbors, who reside just a short walk away from City Hall, he said: ”Our city offers good framework conditions and investment opportunities, especially in the area of large-scale hydrogen projects.” In this respect, he continued, Enertrag is an asset for Hamburg in terms of advancing the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy here and in Germany.
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