Offshore hydrogen production facility for synthetic fuels unveiled under the H2Mare Hydrogen Initiative, backed by the German federal government funding
The First Offshore Production Plant for Synthetic Fuels, a pioneering step in renewable energy production, was opened on July 8, 2025, in Bremerhaven, Germany. This groundbreaking project, funded by the German Federal Government, is a modular, off-grid, and seaworthy floating platform that demonstrates a complete power-to-X process chain for producing synthetic fuels using offshore wind energy, seawater, and ambient air [1][2][4].
Coordinated by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and headed by Professor Roland Dittmeyer, the Institute for Micro Process Engineering, the HMare test platform is a significant advancement in offshore renewable energy production [3]. The floating platform integrates direct air capture for CO₂ recovery, seawater desalination, and high-temperature electrolysis to produce hydrogen-rich synthesis gas, which is then converted into liquid synthetic fuels via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis [1][2].
The platform is designed to operate independently of the power grid and dynamically adapts to offshore wind energy availability. After initial operations in Bremerhaven, the platform is planned to start producing synthetic fuel directly at sea, near Helgoland Island later in 2025 [1][2][4]. The opening was officially marked by the German Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space [1][2][4].
In addition to producing synthetic fuels, the researchers involved in the "PtX-Wind" project within HMare will explore alternative Power-to-X synthesis methods, including the production of liquid methane, methanol, and ammonia [5]. During the test operation, the researchers will investigate maritime impacts, material properties, and regulatory conditions without connection to the power grid [6]. The insights gained from the test operation will be incorporated into the development of larger production platforms that can be coupled with wind turbines.
The HMare test platform is equipped with a direct air capture plant (DAC) for recovering CO₂ from ambient air and a facility for the desalination of seawater [1]. The plant was launched under the "PtX-Wind" project and is currently operational at anchor in Bremerhaven [2]. This marks a significant milestone in the production of synthetic fuels using renewable energy sources, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
References: [1] https://www.kit.edu/kit/de/pressemitteilungen/2025-07-08-first-offshore-production-plant-for-synthetic-fuels-opens-in-bremerhaven.php [2] https://www.h2-mare.de/en/ [3] https://www.kit.edu/kit/de/2021-07-22-ptx-wind-research-platform-for-synthetic-fuels-from-wind-energy-at-sea.php [4] https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/DE/Pressemitteilungen/2025/07/offshore-synthetische-kraftstoffe-im-testbetrieb.html [5] https://www.kit.edu/kit/de/2021-07-22-ptx-wind-research-platform-for-synthetic-fuels-from-wind-energy-at-sea.php [6] https://www.kit.edu/kit/de/2021-07-22-ptx-wind-research-platform-for-synthetic-fuels-from-wind-energy-at-sea.php
- The HMare test platform, a groundbreaking project in renewable energy production, uses green hydrogen synthesis to create liquid synthetic fuels, such as ammonia, as part of the Power-to-X project.
- The floating production platform, funded by the German Federal Government, also integrates data-and-cloud-computing technology to analyze and adapt to offshore wind energy availability and maritime impacts.
- In addition to synthetic fuel production, the researchers will investigate alternative Power-to-X synthesis methods, including the production of liquid methane and methanol, with potential applications in various industries.
- Once operational near Helgoland Island, the HMare test platform will represent a significant leap in the financing of renewable energy technologies for the production of energy-dense synthetic fuels at sea.
