June 23, 2026 [Pipeline & Gas Journal]- Chemnitz, Germany, has secured more than €30.3 million ($33 million) in European Union funding to support hydrogen infrastructure development and energy storage projects as the city prepares to connect to Germany’s future hydrogen core network.

The funding, awarded through the EU’s Just Transition Fund, includes €20.7 million for hydrogen infrastructure projects and €9.6 million for a solar generation and battery storage project at the Galgenberg Energy Park.

The hydrogen initiative will prepare Chemnitz for connection to Germany’s planned hydrogen backbone network. The project includes conversion of existing natural gas pipelines to hydrogen service, construction of new hydrogen transmission pipelines, development of a transfer station east of Freiberg and installation of a control station in Oederan-Hartha.

The planned connection will ultimately link Chemnitz to the OPAL pipeline system, which is expected to become part of Germany’s national hydrogen network in the early 2030s. Project developers said the infrastructure is intended to support regional hydrogen demand while helping decarbonize industrial operations and district heating systems in the region.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2029. Total investment in the hydrogen project is estimated at approximately €29.6 million.

Separately, the Galgenberg Energy Park project will include a 15-MW solar facility paired with a 15-MW battery energy storage system capable of storing 30 MWh of electricity. The facility is scheduled to enter service in 2028 and is expected to generate approximately 15 million kWh of electricity annually.

Roland Warner, chairman of the executive board of eins energie in sachsen, said the hydrogen connection will provide greater planning certainty for businesses and industrial customers throughout the region.