Germany’s north-east to develop a transnational H2 refuelling network
The aim of HyTruck is to establish a transnational network of hydrogen refuelling stations for heavy goods vehicles. The refuelling infrastructure is to extend along the Trans-European Transport Network from Rostock via Berlin-Brandenburg, Poznan in Poland, Kaunas in Lithuania and Vidzeme in Latvia to Helsinki in Finland. This was announced by the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Ministry of Economics as the project’s lead partner. The nine project partners from seven countries are still meeting in Rostock today to agree on the roll-out of the H2 refuelling stations.
All those involved are united by the vision that haulage and logistics companies should soon be able to contribute to climate neutrality by investing in hydrogen vehicles. The prerequisite for “a hydrogen-powered truck to be able to drive across the Baltic Sea region” is, of course, that hydrogen can be refuelled en route. “HyTruck” is therefore aiming to develop the planning and concept of a transnational H2 refuelling station network for heavy goods vehicles. In addition, the project will also investigate areas that are potentially suitable for a hydrogen refuelling station. For Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the Rostock region and the A19/A20 motorway junction will be examined in this context.
“The Rostock region has excellent prerequisites to lead the way as the first hydrogen hub in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Starting with the Rostock Energy Port, the planned IPCEI projects, the planned hydrogen core network that runs from Rostock to the south, the cross-connection between Rostock and Lubmin, as well as the well-positioned research landscape in the region – all of these factors will help to accelerate the hydrogen ramp-up in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern,” says Ines Jesse, State Secretary in the State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Tourism and Labour. There are currently two hydrogen refuelling stations in the Rostock area – one for cars from H2 Mobility and one for trucks from H2APEX in Rostock-Laage.
For Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the topic of hydrogen is a central building block in the realisation of the energy transition, adds Jesse. “With our natural conditions as a coastal state rich in land, wind and sunshine and our ports as energy hubs, our state is predestined for the use and value creation of renewable energies. With green electricity, we have the potential to develop into a hydrogen production and consumption region.”
HyTruck is being subsidised by the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) with around 2.6 million euros. As the so-called lead partner of the project, the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Ministry of Economic Affairs has a budget of 618,000 euros – of which its own contribution is 123,600 euros.
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