OMV has launched Austria's largest green hydrogen production plant at its Schwechat refinery near Vienna, marking a significant step in the country's renewable energy efforts.

As part of its strategic shift, OMV plans to shut down all four public hydrogen refueling stations in Austria by September 2025, redirecting efforts towards expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

OMV Petrom, the majority owner of OMV, aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, with green hydrogen playing a vital role in its refinery processes.

In addition to OMV's efforts, the Technical University of Graz has inaugurated a hydrogen electrolysis test center to advance hydrogen technologies, further supporting the region's renewable energy goals.

The plant utilizes a polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzer powered entirely by renewable energy sources such as wind, hydro, and solar.

This initiative aligns with Austria's commitment to increasing green energy production and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, enhancing OMV's portfolio of renewable energy projects.

Martijn van Koten, an OMV Board Member, emphasized the importance of green hydrogen in transforming everyday essentials sustainably and supporting decarbonization efforts.

This facility, which represents an investment of approximately €25 million, has a capacity of 10 megawatts and can produce up to 1,500 metric tons of green hydrogen annually.

The plant is certified under the Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001 for producing renewable fuels of non-biological origin, further solidifying its role in the energy transition.

Hydrogen produced at this facility will be utilized to create sustainable aviation fuels and renewable diesel, contributing to the decarbonization of processes at the Schwechat site.

The development of the plant received support from the Climate and Energy Fund Austria and Kommunalkredit, facilitating its advancement as part of the WIVA P&G Hydrogen Initiative.

The implementation of this plant is expected to prevent 15,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, equivalent to the emissions of approximately 2,000 individuals.