Groundbreaking for Hydrogen Future: Enertrag Begins Construction of Regional Electrolyzer for Climate-Neutral Mobility in Brandenburg
Dauerthal/Wensickendorf (Germany) - With the groundbreaking ceremony for its hydrogen plant in Wensickendorf, Enertrag has launched a project with significant impact. The focus is on regional production of reen hydrogen - a decisive step toward the energy transition in the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region and beyond.
Hydrogen from Renewables: Enertrag Relies on Regional Solutions
With the symbolic groundbreaking in Wensickendorf, Enertrag begins construction of a facility that will produce green hydrogen on-site - using wind and solar energy. The plant will have an electrolysis capacity of 4 MW and is scheduled to go into operation in 2026. Around 380 tons of hydrogen are to be produced annually.
A significant portion of this - about 230 tons per year - is earmarked for powering the Heidekrautbahn. The project thus supports not only the decarbonization of transportation but also the region’s independence from fossil fuels.
“With the new hydrogen plant, we are strengthening regional value creation and security of supply and providing groundbreaking impetus for innovation. Our aim is to drive forward the energy transition in practical terms: we produce green hydrogen where it is needed and, together with our partners, create the conditions for climate-friendly mobility in our region,” emphasized Dr. Anne Bendzulla, Executive Board Member at Enertrag.
In doing so, Enertrag contributes to local energy security while laying the groundwork for new jobs in a growing future-oriented sector. The location in Wensickendorf - situated in the Oberhavel district - will benefit directly from this development.
Model Project for Hydrogen Mobility: The “Heidekrautbahn Hydrogen Corridor”
The hydrogen plant is part of the “Heidekrautbahn Hydrogen Corridor,” a collaborative initiative recognized as a pilot project at the national level. In close cooperation with partners such as Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn (NEB), Kreiswerke Barnim, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, and the German Aerospace Center (DLR), a regional value chain for climate-neutral mobility is being established.
The Heidekrautbahn, which will be operated with hydrogen trains in the future, offers an alternative model to conventional propulsion technologies. The project is supported by the Federal Ministry of Transport under the National Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP), which provides a total of around 25 million euros in funding.
“With green hydrogen, we are laying the foundation for climate-friendly mobility here in Wensickendorf – directly on site and with regional added value,” said Dagmar Fehler of NOW GmbH. The project, she added, demonstrates the strength of cooperation between business, science, and government.
The project also enjoys political support. Alexander Laesicke, Mayor of Oranienburg, emphasized its regional importance: “With the hydrogen plant in Wensickendorf, we are sending a strong signal for climate protection, innovation and regional future viability – a project that shows how sustainable mobility made in Brandenburg can succeed.”
Outlook: A Blueprint for Other Regions
The project in Wensickendorf clearly illustrates how regional energy infrastructures can contribute to achieving the energy transition. The combination of local hydrogen production, scientific oversight and real-world application in the transport sector makes the plant a model case - not only for Brandenburg.
The groundbreaking marks the start of a concrete implementation of climate-neutral mobility. The experiences gained from the “Heidekrautbahn Hydrogen Corridor” could serve as a blueprint for other regions seeking to reach their own climate and mobility goals.
Source: IWR Online, 17 Oct 2025
