RWE Opens Bidding for Germany’s First Commercial Hydrogen Storage Facility

RWE Gas Storage West GmbH (RGSW) has begun marketing available storage capacity at its hydrogen storage facility under construction in Gronau-Epe, North Rhine-Westphalia. A binding tender launched on 16 June, targeting companies looking to secure hydrogen storage capacity starting 1 January 2028.

Germany’s first commercial hydrogen storage facility is already under development, with RWE set to fill the first cavern with hydrogen by mid-2026. Simultaneously, hydrogen will be used to displace brine from a second cavern, preparing it for use; once operational, the facility will offer a working gas volume of 38 million cubic metres and an injection/withdrawal capacity of 50,000 cubic metres per hour, 70% of which has already been allocated. Commercial operations are scheduled to begin on 1 July 2027.

The current tender covers the remaining 30% of capacity, which will only become available in 2028 due to technical constraints. Insights from a market survey conducted in spring 2025 have shaped the offer to better meet customer needs.