Germany’s VNG sees Rostock port as potential hub for green gas, with a view to transitioning away from fossil fuels in the long term. The port is the sea gateway near its core region, and VNG has cooperated with Equinor, Total Eren, and Sonatrach to develop its clean gas businesses. The activities in Rostock involve producing low-carbon hydrogen with Equinor to satisfy 20% of anticipated eastern Germany’s hydrogen demand by 2030. With Total Eren, VNG’s plans to import renewable or decarbonized gases in the form of ammonia. There is also a cooperation discussion between VNG and Algeria’s state energy company, Sonatrach, to import green hydrogen into Rostock through Italian and Tunisian natural gas pipelines.
VNG is a subsidiary of power utility EnBW and one of Germany’s largest importers of Russian natural gas. The company experienced a liquidity crisis last year due to high spot market prices and decreased sales from Russian gas. With a deal to secure its liquidity without state help, VNG continues to provide gas services to customers across Europe. Additionally, its wide range of activities includes high pressure and distribution gas pipelines, storage facilities, and biogas.
Hans-Joachim Polk serves as the Board Member for Infrastructure and Technology at VNG. Throughout his career, he has been credited with setting up numerous long-term partnerships and creating strategies to drive changes in the energy industry. He also strives to raise awareness among the public and policymakers on the importance of green energy, and as himself as an ambassador for VNG’s projects.
