OMV has officially launched operations at its new green hydrogen production facility in Schwechat, near Vienna. With a capacity of 10 megawatts, the plant is now the largest of its kind in Austria. The company invested approximately 25 million euros into the site, which can produce up to 1,500 metric tons of green hydrogen annually.

This green hydrogen will serve a pivotal role in manufacturing more sustainable fuels and chemicals, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), also known as renewable diesel. The hydrogen is produced using a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, powered entirely by renewable energy sources such as wind, hydro, and solar.

The facility is expected to cut up to 15,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year—comparable to the annual emissions of about 2,000 people. This milestone supports OMV’s broader strategy to reduce its carbon footprint and advance energy transformation.

“With the launch of Austria’s largest electrolysis plant, we are redefining how essential fuels and chemicals are produced,” said Martijn van Koten, OMV executive board member for fuels, feedstock, and chemicals. “Green hydrogen is central to this transition, enabling lower-emission production at our Schwechat site. Developing local hydrogen production and supply chains also strengthens Europe’s industrial and climate resilience.”

The plant has been certified under the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) for producing renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs). It is part of Austria’s WIVA P&G—Hydrogen Initiative Model Region Power & Gas—and received backing from the Climate and Energy Fund Austria. Financial support during the development phase was also provided by Kommunalkredit.

This project is one of OMV’s key transformation efforts as the company works toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Additional initiatives include investing in geothermal energy, chemical recycling, and expanding sustainable aviation fuel capabilities. Green hydrogen, produced via electrolysis, will play a central role in powering OMV’s refining operations and reducing overall emissions.

The expertise gained through this facility is expected to serve as a model for future green hydrogen projects and help OMV build a more sustainable and secure energy future.

Green hydrogen is produced through PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) electrolysis, a process that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity generated from renewable sources. At the anode, water molecules are broken down into oxygen and positively charged hydrogen ions (protons). These protons pass through the PEM to the cathode, where they combine with electrons to form hydrogen gas. Because water contains two hydrogen atoms for every oxygen atom, the process yields twice as much hydrogen as oxygen.