ENERTRAG celebrated the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony for the new hydrogen plant in Wensickendorf (Oberhavel district, Brandenburg) today together with representatives from politics, business and the public. As the developer and initiator of this forward-looking project, ENERTRAG is setting another milestone on the road to a sustainable and climate-friendly mobility and energy future for the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region.

With the start of construction in Wensickendorf, ENERTRAG is laying the foundation for the regional production of green hydrogen from wind and solar energy – directly on site. The state-of-the-art plant has an electrolysis capacity of 4 MW and will produce up to 380 tonnes of green hydrogen annually from 2026 onwards. A significant portion – around 230 tonnes per year – will be reserved for supplying the Heidekrautbahn (RB27) railway line between Barnim and Berlin. The hydrogen plant thus provides an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels and promotes CO₂-free mobility in the region.

Partner project for the mobility transition: Heidekrautbahn hydrogen railway

The ENERTRAG hydrogen plant is a central component of the ‘Heidekrautbahn hydrogen railway’ joint project, which is unique in Germany. In close cooperation with Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn (NEB), Kreiswerke Barnim (KWB), Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), a completely regional, climate-friendly value chain for green hydrogen in the transport sector is being created. The regional supply of clean hydrogen to the Heidekrautbahn is an important building block for CO₂-free, quiet rail transport and at the same time offers prospects for future applications in passenger and commercial transport in the region.

The project is being scientifically supported by the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg and the DLR and is also part of the Barnim district's zero-emission strategy, which has been focusing on renewable energies and CO₂-free mobility since 2008.

Sustainable energy solutions for Brandenburg and Berlin

ENERTRAG's new hydrogen plant symbolises the pioneering spirit and sense of responsibility of the region. This investment will strengthen local value creation, security of supply and sustainable jobs. As a driver of innovation, ENERTRAG is taking on a pioneering role and demonstrating how regional energy projects can actively contribute to achieving the ambitious goals of the energy transition and sustainable mobility development in Brandenburg and Berlin. Green hydrogen serves as a model for other regions and is a key driver in the establishment of emission-free transport concepts.

Comments on the project

Dr Anne Bendzulla, Member of the Executive Board, Generation Division, ENERTRAG SE:
"With the new hydrogen plant, we are strengthening regional value creation and security of supply and providing groundbreaking impetus for innovation. Our aim is to drive forward the energy transition in practical terms: we produce green hydrogen where it is needed and, together with our partners, create the conditions for climate-friendly mobility in our region – proving once again that Brandenburg is proud to play a pioneering role in the energy transition."

Dagmar Fehler, CEO and spokesperson for NOW GmbH:
"The Heidekrautbahn hydrogen rail joint project illustrates the strength that lies in cooperation between industry, science and politics. With green hydrogen, we are laying the foundation for climate-friendly mobility here in Wensickendorf – directly on site and with regional added value. NOW GmbH is supporting this process as a partner of the Federal Government and ensuring that such flagship projects can set a precedent nationwide.‘

Alexander Laesicke, Mayor of Oranienburg:
"Wensickendorf is eagerly awaiting the connection to Gesundbrunnen. An important step is being taken here to achieve this. We know all too well that the energy transition cannot be achieved without conflict. This makes me all the more convinced that this step is decisive, courageous and right. With the hydrogen plant in Wensickendorf, we are sending a strong signal for climate protection, innovation and regional future viability – a project that shows how sustainable mobility made in Brandenburg can succeed. Here's to a successful project!"

Outlook: The energy and mobility transition begins locally

The groundbreaking ceremony for the ENERTRAG hydrogen plant sends a clear signal for the consistent implementation of sustainable energy and transport concepts. The project is a prime example of successful cooperation between industry, science and the public sector, and gives the region a pioneering role on the road to climate-friendly mobility.

Further information is available at: www.wasserstoffschiene-heidekrautbahn.de

The ‘Heidekrautbahn hydrogen rail’ project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) with a total of around 25 million euros as part of the ‘National Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP)’ funding guideline. The funding guideline is coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by Project Management Jülich (PtJ).

Press Release Groundbreaking Ceremony Hydrogen Plant Wensickendorf