Green Hydrogen Infrastructure Expansion with OMV and Masdar

Vienna-based energy and chemicals company OMV has secured up to EUR 123 million in public funding to develop what will be one of Europe’s largest green hydrogen production facilities, advancing its decarbonisation efforts and supporting Austria’s national hydrogen strategy. The project, located in Bruck an der Leitha in Lower Austria, is positioned to distinguish OMV’s transition toward low-carbon energy by integrating large-scale renewable hydrogen production directly into industrial operations.

Large-scale electrolyser project tied to renewable energy supply and refinery decarbonisation
Under a production support agreement with Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH (aws), acting on behalf of Austria’s contribution to the European Hydrogen Bank funding programme, OMV will develop a 140 megawatt (MW) electrolyser facility, slated for operation by the end of 2027. Once commissioned, this plant is expected to produce up to 23,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually using electricity sourced from wind, solar, and hydropower. By supplying this hydrogen directly via a dedicated 22-kilometer pipeline to the company’s nearby Schwechat refinery, the project is projected to reduce annual carbon emissions by up to 150,000 tonnes, significantly lowering the refinery’s carbon footprint.

Strategic industrial impact and competitive positioning
The planned Bruck facility is designed to rank among the top five largest green hydrogen plants in Europe, reflecting a scale advantage relative to many contemporary industrial hydrogen projects. OMV’s approach differs from smaller commercial electrolysis installations by combining high-capacity hydrogen production with direct industrial application, reinforcing local supply chains and contributing to regional energy security.

This project builds on earlier OMV investments in hydrogen technology, including a 10 MW electrolyser at the Schwechat site which began commercial operation and produced up to 1,500 tonnes of green hydrogen per year. These incremental investments in hydrogen infrastructure are part of OMV’s broader Strategy 2030, which prioritises carbon reduction across fuels and chemical production and sets a target of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Partnership structure and next steps
In addition to public funding, OMV and UAE-based clean energy company Masdar have agreed to establish a joint venture for financing, constructing, and operating the Bruck electrolysis plant, subject to final documentation, shareholder approval, and regulatory clearance expected in early 2026. This collaboration reflects increasing cooperation between European and international energy companies to scale green hydrogen technologies for industrial decarbonisation.

Context within hydrogen technology deployment
Green hydrogen, produced by electrolysis powered exclusively by renewable energy, is increasingly viewed as a key enabler for decarbonising sectors that are difficult to electrify directly, such as heavy industry and refining. Large-scale facilities like OMV’s planned plant leverage economies of scale to lower production costs and strengthen the supply of renewable hydrogen for industrial consumers. By anchoring this production to existing industrial demand at its Schwechat refinery, OMV aims to differentiate its operational model from project-only hydrogen producers by integrating supply and demand within its own value chain.

In summary, the new funding and project development place OMV at the forefront of industrial green hydrogen deployment in Europe, combining competitive scale, integration with core refinery operations, and alignment with national and European decarbonisation frameworks.

www.omv.com