Uniper Advances Conversion of Scholven Power Plant to Hydrogen-Ready Facility

With the demolition of the cooling towers of units D and E at the Uniper power plant in Gelsenkirchen-Scholven, the company has taken an initial step toward retrofitting the site as part of its new power plant strategy. A hydrogen-ready combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) facility is to be built on the site. According to the company, the project is to participate in the planned auctions under the Electricity Supply Security and Capacity Act (StromVKG).

Additionally, an ammonia cracking demonstration plant is planned at the site, being jointly developed with thyssenkrupp Uhde. The facility will efficiently convert imported ammonia into hydrogen and thereby complement the planned import terminal in Wilhelmshaven. The site can thus make an important contribution to the development of robust import structures for green hydrogen and to the supply of industry and the energy system.

Regarding the demolition of the cooling towers, Dr. Arne Bayer, Head of Asset Development at Uniper, explained that decommissioning projects of this type are technically demanding and place high requirements on planning and implementation. The decommissioning creates space for new infrastructure and paves the way for a future-proof energy supply at Scholven as well as for flexible and dispatchable power generation.