INNIO Group and the Saarbrücken-based energy provider Energie SaarLorLux aim to convert the GAMOR gas engine power plant to green hydrogen (H₂). A joint memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed for this purpose.

This involves five Jenbacher engines from INNIO Group, which are to be fully operated with this carbon dioxide (CO₂)-free energy source by 2032 at the latest. Today, the highly efficient and flexible Jenbacher CHP plant, which was commissioned in 2022 as a replacement for a former coal-fired power plant along the Saar River, operates on natural gas.

By switching from coal to natural gas, Energie SaarLorLux already can save around 60,000 tpy of CO₂. The conversion to green hydrogen (H₂) will enable CO₂-free electricity supply for 65,000 households and CO₂-free heat supply for 11,000 households. This step towards climate-neutral power generation is significantly ahead of the German federal government's target of 2045. A prerequisite for this is the timely availability of green H₂ in sufficient quantities and at economical conditions.

"With the commissioning of our Jenbacher large engines, Energie SaarLorLux completed the coal phase-out in 2022. We are pleased to now start the next milestone towards climate neutrality by 2032 with the conversion of GAMOR to green H₂," explains Dr. Olaf Berlien, president and CEO of INNIO Group.

"By planning to convert GAMOR to green H₂ by 2032 at the latest, we not only are supporting the transformation of the energy supply in Saarland but also can take a pioneering role nationwide," says Joachim Morsch, Board Member and Spokesperson of Energie SaarLorLux AG.

Due to their black start capability, the Jenbacher engines can support the local power supply independently of the power grid in the event of a blackout. With Jenbacher technology, GAMOR can thus restore both the power supply for Saarbrücken's district heating and the water supply during a blackout. Thanks to the innovative Jenbacher solution, GAMOR is one of the few power plants in Germany with this capability.