OMV and Masdar Form Joint Venture to Develop 140 MW Green Hydrogen Plant in Austria
OMV, Austria’s integrated energy, fuels, and chemicals company, has entered into a binding agreement with Masdar, the UAE-based global leader in clean energy, to form a joint venture (JV) for the development, financing, construction, and operation of a 140 MW green hydrogen electrolyzer plant in Bruck an der Leitha, Austria. The facility, once operational, will stand among the largest green hydrogen production sites in Europe and serve as a major milestone in Austria’s and OMV’s energy transition strategies.
A Key Step Toward Decarbonization
The project represents a cornerstone of OMV’s broader commitment to achieving deep decarbonization across its industrial operations, particularly its Schwechat refinery near Vienna. The refinery is one of the country’s most significant energy and petrochemical hubs, and the introduction of large-scale green hydrogen will play a pivotal role in replacing fossil-based hydrogen currently used in refining processes.
Construction of the Bruck an der Leitha plant commenced in September 2025, with commercial operations expected to begin in 2027. Once completed, the facility will have the capacity to produce green hydrogen through water electrolysis using renewable electricity sourced by OMV. This clean hydrogen will be used to reduce carbon emissions from refining operations and may also support Austria’s broader hydrogen ecosystem, including transport and industrial applications.
Partnership Structure and Strategic Vision
Under the terms of the agreement, OMV will hold a majority stake in the joint venture, while Masdar will own 49%. The structure combines OMV’s industrial expertise and integrated Fuels and Chemicals business with Masdar’s extensive global experience in developing, financing, and operating clean energy infrastructure.
OMV, which already operates a 10 MW green hydrogen electrolyzer at its Schwechat refinery, will be responsible for securing the renewable electricity supply for the new facility and for offtaking all hydrogen produced. The green hydrogen will directly support OMV’s decarbonization roadmap and contribute to Austria’s national hydrogen strategy, which aims to position the country as a European hub for hydrogen technology and supply.
Expanding a Strategic Energy Partnership
This agreement extends the collaboration between OMV and Masdar that began with a Letter of Intent signed in April 2025. The companies plan to explore additional joint opportunities beyond this initial project, including the development of synthetic sustainable aviation fuels (e-SAF) and synthetic chemicals in both the United Arab Emirates and Europe. These efforts reflect a shared commitment to accelerating global progress toward net-zero emissions and advancing the role of hydrogen and synthetic fuels in hard-to-abate sectors such as aviation, refining, and heavy industry.
The joint venture is expected to reach financial close in early 2026, following the completion of final documentation, shareholder approvals, and regulatory reviews.
Ceremony and Leadership Statements
The signing ceremony took place at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), one of the world’s leading energy events. The agreement was signed in the presence of high-level dignitaries including:
- H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar
- H.E. Dr. Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, Austria’s Federal Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism
- Dr. Alfred Stern, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of OMV
- Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar
The formal signing was executed by Martijn van Koten, OMV Member of the Executive Board and Executive Vice President of Fuels and Chemicals, and Mohammad Abdelqader El Ramahi, Chief Green Hydrogen Officer at Masdar.
Global and National Significance
H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber emphasized that the UAE remains steadfast in its commitment to working with global partners to accelerate the energy transition. “This joint venture unites Masdar’s two decades of renewable energy leadership with OMV’s industrial capability, paving the way for future commercial opportunities across Europe,” he said. “Today’s agreement also underscores the deep and growing collaboration between the UAE and Austria in powering growth for the information age.”
H.E. Dr. Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer highlighted the broader economic and strategic benefits for Austria, stating: “We can only secure jobs and prosperity in Austria if we stand firmly for open trade and build successful international partnerships. Together, OMV and Masdar are constructing the fifth-largest hydrogen plant in Europe – right here in Austria. This project strengthens Austria’s leadership in a key technology of the future and supports our goal of becoming Europe’s leading hydrogen hub. It will help us maintain a strong industrial base, create jobs, and secure long-term prosperity.”
Dr. Alfred Stern, CEO of OMV, underscored the project’s role in the company’s long-term sustainability strategy. “Green hydrogen is a key element in OMV’s Strategy 2030 for decarbonizing our fuels and chemicals production. Partnering with Masdar to develop one of Europe’s largest green hydrogen facilities in Austria marks a significant step forward,” Stern said. “This joint venture builds upon our existing partnership by uniting deep technological expertise with a shared vision for a climate-neutral future. It will be a cornerstone in transforming our operations and accelerating Europe’s energy transition.”
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, added that this agreement represents another major step in Masdar’s expansion into Europe’s growing hydrogen market. “By combining Masdar’s global expertise in developing and scaling clean energy projects with OMV’s strong industrial and technological capabilities, this joint venture will accelerate the decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries and advance the development of a sustainable hydrogen economy in Europe,” he said.
Advancing the Hydrogen Economy
The Bruck an der Leitha project aligns closely with both Austria’s and the European Union’s hydrogen strategies, which aim to scale up green hydrogen production and consumption as part of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. It will also contribute to the EU’s REPowerEU goals, designed to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and accelerate the shift toward renewable energy.
Beyond its domestic benefits, the project could serve as a blueprint for other large-scale hydrogen initiatives across Europe, demonstrating the feasibility and economic potential of cross-border energy partnerships between industrial and clean technology leaders.
Source Link: https://www.omv.com/
