Green Hydrogen – A sustainable alternative to fossil hydrogen
Green hydrogen is an important pillar of the energy transition, offering a route to decarbonization for industries that rely on hydrogen as a feedstock. As demand grows, we’re stepping up with large-scale green hydrogen projects – strengthening our portfolio and expanding the supply of sustainable fuels and chemicals.
Green hydrogen made by OMV
Austria’s first large-scale electrolyzer
The hydrogen molecule is an essential feedstock for our fuels and chemicals. Until now, this hydrogen has primarily come from fossil-based sources.
In April 2025, we reached a major milestone with the commissioning of Austria’s at the moment largest operational electrolyzer. It’s the first time we’re producing our own green hydrogen on commercial scale – a crucial step toward decarbonizing the production of our products.*
Key facts:
- 10 MW capacity, making it Austria’s largest operational electrolyzer
- Up to 1,500 metric tons of green hydrogen produced every year
- Annual CO2 savings of up to 15,000 metric tons**
- Among the first projects in Europe to receive ISCC certification for the production of renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) according to the Renewable Energy Directive
- Uses cutting-edge Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysis technology
*This project is supported by the "Klima- und Energiefonds" and is part of the “WIVA P&G – Wasserstoffinitiative Vorzeigeregion Austria Power & Gas”.
**The CO2 savings are based on the GHG footprint of renewable hydrogen produced within the plant compared to the fossil comparator from the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) checked by the independent certification company TÜV SÜD during the regular certification audits according to RED II requirements.
A mega plant to light the way
The next step in our green hydrogen journey is already underway: a planned 140 MW electrolysis facility, set to begin operations in 2027, pending a final investment decision. This new facility will be a lighthouse project, supplying a significant share of the Schwechat refinery’s annual hydrogen requirement, and setting a new benchmark for green hydrogen production in Austria.
Advancing green hydrogen in Romania
At Petrobrazi in Romania, OMV Petrom is building two new green hydrogen plants to supply its future sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel (HVO) facility. With a combined capacity of 55 MW, these plants will produce around 8,000 metric tons of green hydrogen annually – helping to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the sustainable fuels produced on-site. This facility provides a blueprint for integrating green hydrogen into fuel production at scale.
Understanding green hydrogen
Hydrogen is essential to a range of industrial processes, but the way it’s produced makes a big difference. Conventional “gray” hydrogen is typically made using natural gas in a process that releases large amounts of CO2. In contrast, green hydrogen is made from water using renewable energy, generating almost no emissions.
The visual below explains how green hydrogen is produced and what we use it for:
The technology behind our green hydrogen
Our 10 MW electrolyzer uses Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysis technology – an advanced method that operates using just water and renewable electricity, without the need for additives. As one of the first industrial-scale PEM electrolysis projects, this facility demonstrates how the technology can support the large-volume production of sustainable fuels and chemicals.
Watch the video below to find out more about how the technology works.
A new industrial era for Europe
As Europe enters a new, cleaner industrial era, we’re working hard to drive change across some of the most challenging sectors to decarbonize.
Green hydrogen has an essential role to play, decarbonizing processes where no alternative methods currently exist. As members of the Hydrogen Import Alliance Austria (HIAA) and shareholders in the HyCentA, one of Europe’s largest Hydrogen research centers, we are helping to accelerate the integration of green hydrogen into energy and industrial systems across Europe.
The urgency of the fight against climate change is clear, and the time to act is now.