In a groundbreaking step for the hydrogen market, TotalEnergies and RWE have for the first time agreed on conditions for the purchase of green hydrogen over a period of 15 years. The agreement stipulates that TotalEnergies will purchase around 30,000 metric tons of green hydrogen per year from RWE for its refinery in Leuna (Saxony-Anhalt) from 2030. This is the largest quantity of climate-neutral hydrogen ever contracted from an electrolyser in Germany.

The agreement is a signal for the German market because fuel suppliers such as refineries are encouraged to gradually reduce their greenhouse gas emissions over time. Using 30,000 metric tons of green hydrogen in a refinery saves 300,000 metric tons of CO2 per year. That’s how much 140,000 cars emit on average per year.

Markus Krebber, CEO RWE AG: ”We are proud to have secured the first long-term offtake agreement for green hydrogen of this size with TotalEnergies in Germany. Six months after the investment decision for the construction of the 300-megawatt electrolysis plant in Lingen, we have acquired an important anchor customer in TotalEnergies. This shows that hydrogen works with the right incentives for customers.”

Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies: “We are looking forward to developing further our partnership with RWE, our partner in several offshore wind projects in Germany and the Netherlands. This long-term green contract for green hydrogen marks an important milestone to reducing our CO2 emissions at our Leuna refinery. It will be made possible thanks to the completion of the H2 backbone by German authorities and their efficient support to green H2 customers like our Leuna refinery.”