On August 20, 2025, Brandenburg's Infrastructure Minister Detlef Tabbert, Finance Minister Robert Crumbach and Berlin's State Secretary for Mobility and Transport Arne Herz visited the Heidekrautbahn's new hydrogen filling station in Basdorf (municipality of Wandlitz). Together with the project partners, the delegation learned about the progress of the project on site; the journey was made by hydrogen train from Berlin-Gesundbrunnen.

In addition to the political representatives, the speakers included Christoph Heuing (Managing Director of VBB), Christian Mehnert (Kreiswerke Barnim, Project Coordination Hydrogen Rail Heidekrautbahn), Dr. Gunar Hering (Chairman of the Management Board, ENERTRAG SE), Gerhard Greiter (CEO North East Europe, Siemens Mobility) and Sebastian Achtermann (Managing Director NEB). The event was opened on site by Sebastian Achtermann.

"The opening of the hydrogen filling station marks another important milestone for the Heidekrautbahn. From 2026, we will supply it with green hydrogen from our new plant in Wensickendorf - and thus close a completely regional, climate-friendly value chain." - Dr. Gunar Hering, Chairman of the Management Board of ENERTRAG SE.

ENERTRAG's contribution to the project

From 2026, ENERTRAG will exclusively supply the Heidekrautbahn with green hydrogen from renewable energies in the region. The ground-breaking ceremony for the new hydrogen plant is scheduled for September 12, 2025 at the Wensickendorf site.

Hydrogen trains have been in regular operation on the RB27 since December 2024 - an important step towards reducing emissions and strengthening regional value creation. According to the project, the use of hydrogen trains corresponds to an annual CO₂ reduction of around 3 million kg and a saving of around 1.1 million liters of diesel.

Project partner session

Following the welcoming speeches, the project partners presented the project status. David Schenker presented the ENERTRAG part of the hydrogen supply for the Heidekrautbahn.

Background
The joint project "Hydrogen Rail Heidekrautbahn" realizes the entire regional value chain from the production of green hydrogen to its use in regional rail transport and is scientifically supported (DLR, BTU).