Renewable hydrogen from Plug’s Werlte facility is now supporting one of Europe’s most advanced underground storage projects
Plug announced its role in a major step forward for Europe’s hydrogen economy: delivering renewable hydrogen to the H2CAST Etzel project—Germany’s leading pilot for large-scale underground hydrogen storage.
Located in Lower Saxony and a consortium led by partners Gasunie and STORAG ETZEL, the H2CAST (Hydrogen Cavern Storage Transition) initiative is repurposing two existing salt caverns into storage vessels for renewable hydrogen. The goal? To prove that salt caverns can offer safe, scalable, and flexible hydrogen storage for Europe’s future energy system.
Under a contract awarded by Gasunie, Plug is supplying approximately 45 metric tons of renewable hydrogen between April and August 2025. Deliveries began last month from Hy2gen electrolyzer facility in Werlte, Germany—ranging from one to two trailer loads per day.
Plug’s hydrogen is produced using electrolysis powered by grid electricity, with most trailer filling scheduled during midday hours when Germany’s renewable energy supply peaks. This timing helps minimize carbon intensity and supports the country’s clean energy transition.
Co-funded by the German federal government and the state of Lower Saxony, the H2CAST Etzel project is one of the most advanced hydrogen storage demonstrations in Europe. In addition to testing the storage process itself, the pilot will study hydrogen quality treatment and performance inside repurposed caverns—generating data essential for industrial-scale deployment.
Project results are expected to be published in 2026 and will help shape Europe’s approach to building long-duration, renewable hydrogen storage to support both industrial applications and long-term energy resilience.
Photo of Plug Power
Press release https://tinyurl.com/2dztww3a
