OMV secures EUR 123 million funding for Austria’s largest green hydrogen project, advancing decarbonization, renewable energy integration, and Europe’s hydrogen transition.
OMV has taken a major step forward in advancing Austria’s clean energy ambitions after signing a funding agreement with Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH (aws). The agreement provides production-linked funding of up to EUR 123 million for OMV’s planned green hydrogen plant in Bruck an der Leitha, located in the federal state of Lower Austria. The project has already received a positive evaluation and formal funding recommendation from the European Hydrogen Bank (EHB), underscoring its strategic importance at both national and European levels.
The hydrogen facility represents a cornerstone investment under Austria’s hydrogen roadmap and aligns closely with OMV’s long-term Strategy 2030, which prioritizes decarbonization, innovation, and sustainable industrial transformation. Commenting on the development, Alfred Stern, Chairman of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer of OMV, highlighted the broader implications of the funding approval. He noted that the endorsement from the European Hydrogen Bank, combined with financial backing from the Austrian state, sends a strong signal regarding the country’s role as a competitive location for future-oriented energy projects. According to Stern, the initiative demonstrates how OMV is integrating technological innovation with corporate responsibility to actively support Europe’s energy transition.
OMV plans to invest a mid-three-digit million euro amount in the Bruck an der Leitha project. With a planned capacity of 140 megawatts, the facility is expected to begin operations by the end of 2027. Once commissioned, it will rank among the five largest green hydrogen production plants in Europe, significantly boosting regional hydrogen supply capacity. The electrolyzer will produce up to 23,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year, using electricity generated exclusively from renewable sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower.
The environmental benefits of the project are substantial. Annual production is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 150,000 tonnes, making a meaningful contribution to Austria’s climate targets. Martijn van Koten, OMV’s Executive Vice President for Fuels and Chemicals, emphasized the strategic value of producing green hydrogen close to where it is consumed. A dedicated 22-kilometer hydrogen pipeline will connect the new facility directly to OMV’s Schwechat refinery, enabling the replacement of fossil-based hydrogen used in fuel and chemical production. This integration will play a key role in lowering the refinery’s overall carbon footprint and accelerating OMV’s decarbonization pathway.
In addition to national funding support, OMV is strengthening the project through international collaboration. In November 2025, OMV signed an agreement with Masdar, a globally recognized clean energy company, to establish a joint venture for the hydrogen plant. The planned JV will oversee the financing, construction, and operation of the electrolyzer facility. Subject to final documentation, shareholder approvals, and regulatory clearances, the joint venture is expected to be finalized in early 2026.
Once operational, the Bruck an der Leitha green hydrogen plant is set to become a flagship example of large-scale renewable hydrogen production in Europe, supporting industrial decarbonization, strengthening energy security, and reinforcing Austria’s position in the emerging hydrogen economy.
