The Wesermarsch Economic Development Agency received the grant notification for the Clean Hydrogen Coastline WHE project on 16 February 2026, from State Commissioner Nikolaus Jansen of the Weser-Ems Regional Development Agency. The project is being funded by the European Union as part of the JadeBay Future Region funding programme amounting to approximately €603 000.
The Wesermarsch district, Lower Saxony, Germany, is positioning itself as a future-oriented energy location: As part of the NetZero Northwest Germany initiative, the comprehensive feasibility study for the Clean Hydrogen Coastline (WHE) hydrogen production project has been launched. The aim is to systematically examine the potential for the production, use, and infrastructure of green hydrogen in the region and to develop concrete implementation strategies. The project thus makes an important contribution to the regional energy transition and the development of climate-neutral economic structures.
The Wesermarsch Economic Development Agency is the project sponsor, implementing the project together with strong partners from business and academia. These include EWE HYDROGEN GmbH and Jade University, which contributes its scientific expertise.
The project will enable the further development of a sustainable industrial and energy region and strengthen the site's long-term competitiveness. "With the 'Future Regions in Lower Saxony' program, the Lower Saxony State Chancellery supports districts and independent cities in jointly tackling important future challenges," explains Nikolaus Jansen, State Representative of the Weser-Ems Regional Development Agency. "I am very pleased that we can support this JadeBay Future Region project with approximately €603 000 in EU funding."
“The Wesermarsch region offers the best conditions for a key role in the hydrogen economy – from the existing energy infrastructure to strong industrial partners: My special thanks go to the managing director of the economic development agency Lutz Stührenberg and his team, who made this important project possible,” emphasised District Administrator Stephan Siefken.
From the perspective of the cooperation partners, the study is also an important milestone: “The close cooperation between business, science and regional development creates the basis to transfer innovations into practice more quickly and to secure sustainable value creation in the region,” said Tobias Moldenhauer, Managing Director of EWE HYDROGEN GmbH.
Dr. Olaf Goldbaum, Head of Regional Management for the JadeBay Future Region, commented: “The project combines climate protection, innovative energy supply and regional value creation – and makes the region an active participant in the green transformation.”
Alexandra Wurm, Managing Director of JadeBay GmbH Development Company, added: “With the feasibility study and positioning as an energy location, the Wesermarsch district is contributing to strengthening the innovative capacity and future viability of the entire Jade-Weser economic region.”
The results of the feasibility study will serve as a strategic basis for further investments and projects in the field of hydrogen.
Net zero Northwest Germany as a model region
“Net zero Northwest Germany is the flagship project in Lower Saxony,” said Dr. Lutz Stührenberg, Managing Director of Wirtschaftsförderung Wesermarsch GmbH (Wesermarsch Economic Development Corp.). “The Lower Saxon coastal region – from the Emsland to the Elbe-Weser area – is at a turning point in industrial policy. With its application for recognition as a Valley under the European Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA), the region aims to establish itself as a model location for climate-neutral industrial transformation. The initiative is based on the conviction that the energy transition can only be economically successful if it is linked to industrial value creation, technological innovation, and social acceptance.”
Source: Amt für regionale Landesentwicklung Weser-Ems