SEN-1 Pioneer Projects

Offshore hydrogen production in the North Sea plays a decisive role in the updated National Hydrogen Strategy, which aims for a national electrolysis capacity of 10 GW by 2030.

Proof of concept

A central element of this expansion path are the SEN-1 pioneer projects, which serve as a proof of concept for the large-scale expansion of offshore hydrogen production. They rely on innovative technical solutions and are intended to make an important contribution to reaching the 10 GW target.

Site designation by the BSH

As early as the 2023 Site Development Plan (SDP), the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) designated the SEN-1 area, covering 102 km², as a special zone for alternative energy production. Although it is not expressly stipulated that the area must be used for electrolysers, the general assumption is that it will be used to produce hydrogen and/or its derivatives.

Site Development Plan 2025

The current Site Development Plan (SDP) from 2025 makes no new stipulations compared with the 2023 plan. It does, however, take account of the ramp-up of offshore hydrogen infrastructure: hydrogen production in the SEN-1 pioneer areas is to be implemented in close coordination with the AquaDuctus pipeline.

Production and AquaDuctus connection

With a combined capacity of around 1,000 MW, these pioneer projects will produce considerable quantities of green hydrogen directly at sea. Up to 100,000 tonnes are to be fed into the offshore hydrogen pipeline AquaDuctus, as part of the hydrogen core network, and transported to shore.

Tenders

The BSH will prepare the SEN-1 pioneer projects for the tenders, which are organised under the lead of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). The AquaVentus initiative is in close and trusting exchange with all involved stakeholders from politics and industry in order to make the tenders for the SEN-1 pioneer projects a success.