The German Verband der Industriellen Energie- und Kraftwirtschaft (VIK) has today published an article featuring the HØST PtX Esbjerg project. HØST is a leading, Danish Power-to-X project deploying large-scale industrial use of electrolysis technology to produce green hydrogen. Powered entirely by renewable energy, HØST will produce approximately 120,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year to help decarbonise hard-to-electrify industries. HØST will be connected to the future Danish and German hydrogen backbones and can deliver competitively priced green hydrogen to the German market.
The full article can be found here (German only): Grüner Wasserstoff „Made in Denmark“ für Deutschland. In short:
HØST PtX Esbjerg: a leading Danish green Power-to-X project
The HØST electrolysis system will be powered by green electricity from renewables to produce green hydrogen. The project will source its required power via the Danish electricity grid as well as via energy harvested from onshore and offshore wind and photovoltaics. Water for the hydrogen production will be sourced primarily from wastewater from the Esbjerg city sewage water treatment plant. Excess heat from the electrolysis reaction is planned to be used by the local utility company for district heating of 15,000 households in the Esbjerg/Varde region.
The hydrogen produced from HØST will be exported via the Danish-German hydrogen interconnector, which will connect to German distribution pipelines, to supply the German industry demand.
One of Europe's largest green hydrogen projects
Under development since 2021, HØST is one of Europe’s most advanced PtX projects. The project is expected to take a final investment decision in 2026. Construction of the project is expected to be finalised in 2030. HØST has already achieved multiple key milestones, which gives it a head start compared to most European projects of similar scale.
Key Milestones achieved:
- Land secured: 26Ha land secured enabling 1GW electrolyser capacity installation, located close to future Danish-German hydrogen interconnector
- Fully permitted: All environmental permits have been fully approved in Q4 2024 and all local permits are in place
- Grid connected: A 1.2 GW grid connection agreement has been signed with Danish TSO Energinet
- Water secured: Access to wastewater providing more than 1.3 million m3 /yr. water supply nearby
- Access to offtake: Partnership being explored with Uniper to access German Hydrogen market
Strong fundamentals give HØST a competitive edge
The Danish North Sea offers optimal conditions for green energy due to its permanent and strong winds and relatively shallow water depth. This is combined with HØST’s proximity to Esbjerg, one of the largest cities in Denmark, which can use the surplus heat from the production of hydrogen. This combination creates a platform for large volumes and competitive delivery of green hydrogen.
In Esbjerg, the conditions are present that not only allow HØST to be established as a very robust supplier, it also allows HØST to have a competitive edge regarding price. The biggest cost in the production of green hydrogen remains the price of green power. The location by the North Sea gives a substantial advantage, which is further supported by the existing grid connection agreement. In addition, Denmark currently has a very small usages of hydrogen, which leaves Danmark as a production dominated region for green hydrogen.
Danish Hydrogen pipeline will connect HØST to offtake opportunities in Germany
Demark has been identified by the European Commission as one of the European countries with the highest potential for green Hydrogen export. HØST is located in proximity the lower “Lower 7” section (Phase 1 development of the new Danish hydrogen backbone), which is expected to connect Danish PtX projects to the German market. Energinet is collaborating with German TSO Gasunie Deutschland, who are developing the section of the German hydrogen pipeline which will connect to the Danish pipeline at the border between the two countries. The two TSOs are collaborating on the joint development of the cross-border pipeline, which will allow HØST to export green Hydrogen to Germany as early as 2030.
About Verband der Industriellen Energie- und Kraftwirtschaft (VIK)
The VIK is a German association that represents the interests of industry and commerce in the energy industry. The approximately 220 member companies are predominantly manufacturing companies from energy-intensive sectors such as steel, paper, cement and chemical industry. Together, the members consume around 80 percent of industrial electricity in Germany. The association was founded in 1947 and its headquarters have been in Berlin since 2021.
The VIK publishes its specialist magazine “VIK Nachrichten” four times a year. The magazine provides information about the wide range of energy policy issues relevant to energy-sensitive companies.