Funding for Green Octopus Central Germany Hydrogen Project

The three pipeline branches of GO! are centered around the core that is already emerging today: the 25-kilometer natural gas pipeline from Bad Lauchstädt to Leuna, which will soon be converted to hydrogen as part of the BMWK-funded Energy Park Bad Lauchstädt "real-world lab" for the energy transition. Leuna not only marks the starting point for two GO! pipeline branches toward Leipzig but also, in 2025, will see the first commercial hydrogen transport, delivering to the TotalEnergies refinery in Leuna. The third pipeline branch extends from the opposite end in Bad Lauchstädt toward Magdeburger Börde and then further west through the Helmstedt region to the steel region of Salzgitter, where it will connect to the western core network. GO! thus links East and West, forming an essential element of Germany’s nationwide core network.

During the ceremonial handover of a symbolic check for approximately €157 million, State Secretary Kellner emphasized, “Hydrogen will make a significant contribution to the decarbonization of our industry. With IPCEI hydrogen funding and core network approval, we are moving decisively from planning to implementation. The 'Green Octopus Central Germany' pipeline project by ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH will connect crucial hydrogen production and off-take projects, making it a future hydrogen artery for Central Germany.”

Lower Saxony’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Transport, Construction, and Digitalization Olaf Lies, who could not attend in person, highlighted: “The Green Octopus Central Germany project is of central importance for secure hydrogen transport between East and West Germany as well as for supply security in the connected regions. In Lower Saxony, this especially benefits the steel region of Salzgitter and the Helmstedt area. By 2027, a 300 km pipeline network is planned between the Central German chemical triangle and Salzgitter, providing greater supply security for both steel production in Salzgitter and the chemical and petroleum processing industries in the chemical triangle.”

Energy Minister Prof. Dr. Armin Willingmann stated, “Saxony-Anhalt is set to become a major hub for the sustainable hydrogen economy in Germany in the coming years. Green Octopus Central Germany is of outstanding importance for building the necessary infrastructure. Last year, we continuously advocated in Berlin for the realization of this crucial East-West connection as the first expansion stage of the hydrogen core network. Green Octopus not only connects the Leipzig-Halle, Magdeburg, and Salzgitter steel regions but also integrates the future hydrogen storage facility in Bad Lauchstädt. This storage infrastructure is essential to ensure supply security and balance supply and demand.”

Saxony’s Energy Minister Wolfram Günther said, “The ramp-up of the hydrogen economy presents a huge economic opportunity for Saxony. And the hydrogen economy is of immense strategic importance to make Saxony a climate-neutral energy and industrial region. For this, a robust infrastructure is necessary to bring hydrogen where it’s needed. I am pleased with this strategically important project and the funding it has received. The expansion of hydrogen infrastructure is now gaining momentum, impacting all of Central Germany.”

“We are pleased that the federal and state governments support our hydrogen project, Green Octopus Central Germany. With last week’s approval of the nationwide core network by the Federal Network Agency, we can now swiftly lay the groundwork for market growth in Eastern and Central Germany and bring Green Octopus Central Germany (GO!) to life,” said ONTRAS Managing Director Ralph Bahke during the handover ceremony.