The rock salt layer begins at a depth of around 600m
Germany’s EWE trials underground hydrogen storage
Pilot project could open the door to large-scale deployment
German utility EWE is constructing a pilot project to test the safety of storing pure hydrogen in underground salt caverns with a view to deployment on a large scale as production of the gas ramps up. EWE is working with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) on the project, which is expected to cost around €10mn ($11.9mn), of which EWE is providing €4mn. Findings from the project could be transferred to large cavern storage facilities, according to EWE hydrogen specialist Paul Schneider. “This would mean that large quantities of green hydrogen generated from renewable energies could be stored and used as needed,” he says. The rock salt layer at the storage site in Brandenburg, Germany begins a
Also in this section
4 March 2026
Turmoil in Middle East reminds nascent clean hydrogen sector that its future prospects are dependent on global energy markets and geopolitics
25 February 2026
Low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia development is advancing much more slowly and unevenly than once expected, with high costs and policy uncertainty thinning investment. Meanwhile, surging energy demand is reinforcing the role of natural gas and LNG as the backbone of the global energy system, panellists at LNG2026 said
18 February 2026
Norwegian energy company has dropped a major hydrogen project and paused its CCS expansion plans as demand fails to materialise
4 February 2026
Europe’s largest electrolyser manufacturers are losing patience with policymakers as sluggish growth in the green hydrogen sector undermines their decision to expand production capacity
