Rostock's port becomes a hydrogen center: the future of energy supply!

Rostock's port becomes a hydrogen center: the future of energy supply!

Hydrogen has established itself as a promising energy source in recent years. It is colorless and odorless and can be stored and transported, but is still highly flammable. When hydrogen is burned, only water is produced, which creates significant potential for a climate-neutral energy supply. Hydrogen plays a key role, particularly in shipping and in energy-intensive industries such as steel production. The University of Rostock emphasizes this in its current discussions, which are taking place against the background of the planned infrastructure and area developments in the port. UNI Rostock reports that a discussion about infrastructure needs, storage capacities and the cost structures of green hydrogen production is urgently needed.

In Rostock, the port is being discussed as a potentially important industrial and research location for hydrogen. Project developers are planning investments to create the necessary infrastructural conditions for the production and use of hydrogen. This includes the development of open spaces and international cooperation.

Green hydrogen and its applications

Green hydrogen is produced from renewable electricity, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. This energy source is not only important for the electricity sector, but also has the potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions in numerous sectors, including the chemical, petrochemical and cement industries. Some areas of application include use in fuel cells and the production of synthetic diesel and kerosene. The production of green hydrogen is being promoted by the “HyTech Hafen Rostock” project, in which a 100-megawatt electrolysis facility is to be built in the overseas port by 2027. RWE announces that several leading energy suppliers are involved in the implementation.

However, the challenges in hydrogen production should not be underestimated. While hydrogen has been discussed as an energy alternative since the 1980s, the costs of climate-neutral hydrogen production are around three times higher than production from fossil fuels. Therefore, the development of suitable infrastructure and market strategies remains essential in order to achieve widespread use.

EU strategies and international perspectives

The EU member states have formulated ambitious goals for the implementation of green hydrogen. Germany is already focused on decarbonizing the chemical, petrochemical and steel-making industries, as well as use in trucks and aviation. PwC highlights that countries such as France are also considering how to replace carbon-based hydrogen in existing industries.

In Rostock, the topic of hydrogen will be discussed intensively, with a discussion on September 25, 2025 in the town hall, moderated by Renate Heusch-Lahl. Participants can look forward to an accompanying exhibition as part of the Rostock Sustainability Week. These events and the ongoing research at universities show the growing relevance and promising prospects of hydrogen for climate protection and energy supply in Europe.