ENERTRAG celebrated the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony for the new H₂ plant in Wensickendorf (Oberhavel district, Brandenburg) 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 H₂ from wind and solar energy – directly onsite. The state-of-the-art plant has an electrolysis capacity of 4 MW and will produce up to 380 tpy of green H₂ from 2026 onwards. A significant portion – around 230 tpy – will be reserved for supplying the Heidekrautbahn (RB27) railway line between Barnim and Berlin. The H₂ plant thus provides an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels and promotes CO₂-free mobility in the region.

The ENERTRAG H₂ plant is a central component of the ‘Heidekrautbahn H₂ 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 H₂ in the transport sector is being created. The regional supply of clean H₂ 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.

ENERTRAG's new H₂ plant symbolizes 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 H₂ serves as a model for other regions and is a key driver in the establishment of emission-free transport concepts.

Dr Anne Bendzulla, Member of the Executive Board, Generation Division, ENERTRAG SE said, "With the new H₂ 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 H₂ 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 said, “The Heidekrautbahn H₂ rail joint project illustrates the strength that lies in cooperation between industry, science and politics. With green H₂, 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 said, "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 H₂ 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!"

The groundbreaking ceremony for the ENERTRAG H₂ 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.