WestEnergie has launched HydroNet, a pilot project in the Sauerland region, Germany, to demonstrate how a hydrogen economy can be integrated into existing industrial structures – from production and transport to on-site use.
The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK).
HydroNet is the only project of its size in Germany being implemented without EU funding – and specifically focuses on medium-sized industrial enterprises. At its core is an 11 km former natural gas pipeline between Arnsberg and Balve, Germany, which is now being upgraded for the transport of green hydrogen. It is complemented by modern electrolysis and storage facilities as well as connecting lines to regional companies – with potential connection to the future hydrogen core network.
The consortium leader is the distribution network operator Westnetz GmbH, a subsidiary of Westenergie AG. Together with 21 permanent partners from industry, science, and the public sector, an application-oriented infrastructure prototype for the hydrogen economy will be created by 2029 – as a scalable model for the whole of Germany.
“HydroNet Sauerland is a project that demonstrates how we can combine climate protection and competitiveness in the long-term. Hydrogen is not yet economically competitive everywhere – which is why we need targeted projects like this to reduce costs, bring technologies to market maturity, and build the necessary infrastructure. Here in the Sauerland region, Germany, we are demonstrating how hydrogen can be made competitive as a key technology, step-by-step,” said Friedrich Merz, Member of the German Bundestag (MdB), Chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, and Federal Chairman of the CDU Germany.
“Hydrogen is no longer a vision of the future – it is the key to a resilient, competitive, and climate-neutral industry. Here in the Sauerland, Germany, we are demonstrating how a sustainable hydrogen economy can be regionally anchored and economically viable. This momentum must now be resolutely driven forward nationwide,” explained Katherina Reiche, CEO of Westenergie AG.
The project offers industrial SMEs a practical solution for decarbonisation and aims to contribute to the region's energy security and competitiveness.
“With HydroNet, we are creating an infrastructure for hydrogen use in industry. The project strengthens regional value creation by involving companies along the entire hydrogen value chain – from production and storage technologies to industrial use. Through close cooperation with industry and science, we are developing practical solutions that secure jobs and open up new economic prospects. In doing so, we are demonstrating how a sustainable and economical hydrogen supply can work in practice," said Andreas Breuer, Head of Hydrogen at Westnetz GmbH.