Austria has taken a major step toward a more secure renewable energy future as technology group ANDRITZ and energy storage specialist RAG Austria AG officially broke ground on the country’s largest green hydrogen plant.

 

The new 12.5 MW facility will convert surplus renewable electricity generated during the summer months into green hydrogen, creating a large-scale seasonal energy storage solution to help meet peak energy demand in winter. 

 

The project is designed to strengthen energy security, support the expansion of renewables, and provide a reliable supply of green hydrogen for industrial applications.

 

ANDRITZ is delivering the project on an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) basis, taking full responsibility for execution and commissioning. The plant is scheduled to begin operations by the end of 2026 and will produce approximately 17 million m³ of green hydrogen annually — equivalent to more than 1,500 tons. Once operational, it will become Austria’s largest green hydrogen production facility.

 

The project tackles one of the biggest challenges facing the energy transition: how to store renewable energy when supply is high and make it available when demand rises. By using solar power as its primary renewable energy source, the facility will enable RAG Austria to store clean energy over seasonal cycles and deliver renewable electricity and heat when it is needed most.

 

"In light of rising demand of green hydrogen in industry as well as in heating and power generation, particularly in winter, it is essential that Europe now begins producing its own hydrogen and consistently leverages available surplus electricity resources. Around half of future demand will need to be met within Europe, making it imperative to act now,” says Markus Mitteregger, CEO of RAG Austria.

 

ANDRITZ’s role includes supplying the complete green hydrogen production plant, along with advanced systems for hydrogen purification and compression.

 

The milestone reinforces ANDRITZ’s position as a leading EPC partner for green hydrogen projects worldwide and highlights the company’s focus on technologies that enable the global shift toward cleaner energy systems.