H-TEC will be able to produce more than 1 GW of electrolyzers from next year. “We have installed the first production lines and will officially open them in September this year,” says Maximilian Kuhnert, sales manager at H-TEC. pv magazine.
H-TEC Systems, a hydrogen specialist based in Bavaria, is launching a production facility in Hamburg with the aim of 1 GW of electrolyzer production in 2025 and 5 GW by the end of the decade.
“From next year we will be able to produce more than 1 GW of electrolyzers. We have installed the first production lines and will be officially opened in September this year. We will start with 1 GW, and we could expand to 5 GW in the coming years,” says Maximilian Kuhnert, sales manager at H-TEC. pv magazine.
The German company, which is part of MAN Energy Solutions, wants to leverage its position and history to become a top three PEM producer worldwide.
“I think it makes sense to leverage synergies where possible. H-TEC’s collaboration with MAN depends on several factors, depending on which MAN branch it concerns: if it is the EPC and PtX branches, our collaboration is part of our industrial strategies, while in other branches the collaboration is more focused on research.” Kuhnert said.
The company does not want to differentiate its offering and produce alkaline or SOEC electrolyzers; instead, it focuses on its specialty.
“We have been doing PEM electrolysis for 27 years, which gives us good knowledge of stack construction and testing. We have confidence in the technology. When we forecast the market, we see 40% PEM, 40% alkaline and 20% of other technologies,” said Kuhnert.
According to the German company, customers have different strategies depending on their stage of development: Companies starting their hydrogen ventures are more likely to purchase small electrolysis systems, both PEM and alkaline, to understand which one works better. The larger projects select one or the other technology based on their needs and assessments.
“The major oil and gas companies are also on the move and exploring business opportunities,” Kuhnert said.
H-TEC’s sales manager admitted that the growth of the hydrogen market is slower than expected.
“The green hydrogen industry is evolving: many projects are announced, not many FIDs are made, but once the first projects are realized, interest will increase again. FIDs are lagging behind because financing and financing structures are not clear. It is also not easy to understand the customers. It is difficult to get everything in line that is necessary to grow the market,” says Kuhnert.
H-TEC observes similar profiles across the regions. Most clients are connected to mobility projects, industrial projects, PtX projects, but also industrial projects focused on steel.
“Germany, the Netherlands and the Scandinavian countries are the regions with more projects and more advanced projects. Italy is also very interesting in view of the PNRR projects. The first are in the 1 to 5 MW range, but larger ones will come in the coming years, by 2026,” Kuhnert said.
H-TEC is looking for local partners in its new markets, such as EPCs. In markets where they are not present, they can also offer services through MAN offices.
“We are active in Europe and are now expanding in Texas,” Kuhnert said.
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