Shell’s REFHYNE electrolysis plant at the Rheinland complex
Shell advances to FID on Cologne electrolyser
Investment in 100MW green hydrogen facility in Germany comes as oil major’s wider transition strategy comes under scrutiny
Shell has signalled its readiness to invest at scale in renewable hydrogen by taking FID on the 100MW REFHYNE II electrolyser project at its Rheinland refining complex near Cologne in Germany. The move comes amid scrutiny of Shell’s wider transition strategy after it recently paused a major biofuels project in Rotterdam, incurring a charge of up to $1b. The company has also said it expects significant losses in its renewables and energy solutions business in the near term. The oil major’s FID on REFHYNE II puts the proton-exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser on track to start up in 2027. Its output of 44,000kg/d of green hydrogen will be used in production of road fuels and other products, h
Also in this section
14 January 2026
Continent’s governments must seize the green hydrogen opportunity by refining policies and ramping up the development of supply chains and infrastructure
6 January 2026
Shifts in government policy and rising power demand will shape the clean hydrogen sector as it attempts to gain momentum following a sluggish performance in 2025
23 December 2025
Government backing and inflow of private capital point to breakthrough year for rising star of the country’s clean energy sector
19 December 2025
The hydrogen industry faces an important choice: coordinated co-evolution or patched-together piecemeal development. The way forward is integrated co-evolution, and freight corridors are a good example
