Storengy Deutschland has received funding of up to €4.5 million from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme for preparatory studies related to the SaltHy hydrogen storage project in Harsefeld, Lower Saxony (Stade region). The Grant Agreement was signed on June 18, 2025.
The CEF programme specifically supports cross-border infrastructure projects in the fields of transport, energy, and digital services. SaltHy has been designated as a Project of Common Interest (PCI) – an important step toward securing EU funding.
Planned Use of Funds
The grant will cover 50% of the €9 million study costs. The funding will be allocated to several work packages, including:
- Engineering (subsurface, surface, solar plant)
- Permitting procedures & stakeholder engagement
- Risk, HSE (Health, Safety, Environment), and quality management
Strategic Location & Importance
The project is located along key hydrogen import routes from Denmark and the Netherlands. Northern Germany’s location is strategically significant for European hydrogen infrastructure, particularly as the first sections of the German hydrogen core network are expected to go online by 2028.
“Thanks to the funding from the Connecting Europe Facility, we can take the next step in implementing our SaltHy project. Our hydrogen storage facility in Harsefeld will have an impact beyond Germany’s borders due to its location at the crossroads of import routes from Denmark and the Netherlands.” – Matthieu Keime, Head of Hydrogen Storage at Storengy Deutschland
Project Scope & Timeline
- Two underground salt caverns, each with around 7,000 tonnes of working gas volume, designed to store 100% hydrogen
- Commissioning of the first cavern is scheduled for 2032, the second for 2034
- In a later phase, the existing natural gas storage facility is to be converted for hydrogen use
Contribution to the Energy Transition
Hydrogen storage is a key technology for balancing fluctuating production – especially green hydrogen – with consumption. The SaltHy project contributes to decarbonisation and strengthens energy supply security. It also supports the development of industrial hydrogen use in Germany and across Europe.
